ASWSU Blog

2010-02-24T14:50:00.000-08:00

Alumni Association Services

2010-02-22T15:45:00.000-08:00

With raising costs and tuition it is important for students to make the most of their education at Washington State University. The WSU’s Alumni Association has numerous programs and services for students that allows them to network and further prepare for an exit from their college career.

The alumni website asserts that career support is the #1 requested benefit by alumni. “The WSU Alumni Association Career Support strives to help further the careers of fellow Cougars and friends of WSU, help them achieve their career ambitions, increase the value of their WSU degrees, and enhance the business success of Cougar-owned or managed businesses.”

One of the resources provided by the WSUAA is called the WSU CareerBeam. Once one creates a profile, many options become available. There are assessments that explore values, temperament, personality, talents, interests, fascinations, skills, likes/dislikes, and vision. In addition there is a resume builder, a cover letter builder, and interview questions that can help prepare one for a job interview.
There is an entire section that pertains specifically to the art of the job interview. It covers what employers really want, how employers make hiring decisions, ensuring employers feel good about you, the most effective interview answers, first impressions, answering questions, asking questions, attire, and interview questions for MBAs. It also touches on how one should follow up with an interview with thank you letters, references, and negotiating.

I urge everyone to utilize the resources provided by the WSUAA. CareerBeam is only one example.

Visit alumni.wsu.edu  career support to access these services.
-Tyson

GREEKS: Represent - Student Involvement Program

2010-02-22T14:08:00.000-08:00

Student Involvement Program: Monday, March 8th, 7 PM. CUB Senior Ballroom

ASWSU is teaming up with the Interfraternity and Panhellenic Councils, Multicultural Community, Student Entertainment Board and more to create an event highlighting how students can get involved at Washington State University.

The event is free and open to all students, but members of Greek Chapters will receive required programming credit and are encouraged to wear their Greek letters.

The program will showcase ways students can actively build their leadership skills and develop their organizations. Speakers from different student organizations will start the event by discussing ways students can make a difference in their community such as run for leadership positions or become a part of committees, as well as sharing projects that student groups are currently working on. A brief Question and Answer session will conclude the evening.

The aim of the GREEKS: Represent - Student Involvement Program is to not only engage the future leaders of WSU and encourage Greek and non-Greek students to become more active, but also to better communicate what student leaders are currently doing for their constituents. A slideshow will also be playing throughout the event with information including ASWSU Senate Districts, Adopt-A-Block cleanups, Greek Philanthropy Hours and more.

The various student organizations hosting the event will be passing out free products including Frisbees and lanyards, and a giant poster will be present near the entrance where students can list student groups they are a part of.

As ASWSU elections are rapidly approaching, the program will also discuss how students go about voting and encourage all students to make their voices heard when it comes to choosing their leadership.

Keep an eye out for upcoming advertisements in the Daily Evergreen and on the Video Reader-boards in the CUB.

Cheers,

Chase M. Gunnell
ASWSU Director of Greek Affairs

2010-02-11T17:06:00.000-08:00

Hello once again everyone,

This is the Director of Philanthropy and Community Outreach for the Associated Students of Washington State University. Today we held a brand new philanthropy in the middle of the WSU campus titled The Greatest Break Competition for Haiti. During the event, students were able to express their feelings about stereotypes and social norms by writing them on plates and then breaking them to signify their actual efforts to break through these barriers here within the new semester. We also gave students the opportunity to let us know about the good they've been doing in the community as of late, and awarded them points based on whether or not they left us these messages, how much they left as a donation to Haiti, and how many plates they were able to successfully break. Below are the results and some information we gained from the messages that students left us.

+ 120+ students participated in the event

+We were able to raise $285.15 for the WSU Haiti Relief Fund

+ Sampling of stereotypes, norms, and other things that WSU students are trying to break through or move past in the new semester-

All Asians are good at Math (I am not)

All Gay Men are Feminine

All Jews are Greedy

Asians are Bad Drivers

Asians hang out with Asians

Athletes are Cocky Jocks

Being #2 =(

Being a Slut

Being Called a Slut

Being too cool for Civic Engagement

Black Stereotypes

Blondes are Dumb

Boys are Sluts Too

Break Through to Physical and Emotional Health

College Kids are Apathetic

Cops are Fat

Dorm Guys vs. Frat Dudes

Engineers can’t Party

Epileptics are dumb and handicapped

Female Stereotypes

Frat Boy Stereotypes

Fraternity Guys Just Live to “Hook up with Girls”

Girls are Bad Drivers

Greek Stereotypes

Greeks are Only Here to Party

Greeks have STDs

Guys that Kiss Other Guys are Gay

Guys that Pluck Brows are Fruity

Hate Towards Minorities

Hegemony

Heteronormality

Hunger

Just Like Every Sorority Girl

Long Boarders are Stoners

Mean People

Mexican Stereotypes

Model Minority

Non Greeks can Have Fun too

Not all Red Heads Get Sunburned

Not Only Asians can do Martial Arts

Pageant Girls are Dumb

People that think that One Race is better than any other

People who are Shallow

Poor People are Lazy

Poor People can Easily Become well-off if They Just “Try”

Racial Stereotypes

Racism

Scary Big People

Sensitive Men are not masculine

Short People

Social Barriers

Sorority Girls are Dumb

Sorority Girls are Slutty

Sorority Stereotypes

Sorostitute

Stereotypes on Redheads

Stoners are Dumb

Stress

Student Work is Worth Valuable Dollars – not just free- No More Taking Advantage of our LABOR

Students Care Less about Community than Older Generations

That a Country Boy Can’t be Both Smart and Tough

That I am Unable to Compete in the Class Because of my Race

That Straight Men Can’t Cook or be Artistic

That you Can’t Juggle Everything

Breaking through For Haiti

White Guys can’t Dance

White Men can’t Jump

White People are Racist

+ Sampling of good things that participating Cougars have done in their community so far this semester-

ASWSU Executive Staff

AWSU Senator

Being an RA for my Residence Hall

Coached a Boys Basketball

Community Service

Created an RSO

Culture Workshop

Directing a Zombie Movie on Campus

Donated over 200lbs of Food to the Food Bank

Drive for Women’s Transit

Fundraised Money for Teddy Bears for Kids

Got Involved

Got Involved with ASWSU Activities

Helped a Friend in Need

Helped an Old Lady Unload Groceries

Helped People out When They Needed it most

Helping Plan for a Service Break and Fundraising for WSU

Lived in Boxes to Raise Awareness about Homeless Individuals

Made Journals for Alternatives to Violence on the Palouse

Managing the Writing Center

Mr. Greek Competition

Participated in an Academic Debate about a Social Issue

Participated in Campus Events

Participated in Safewalk

Philanthropies

Philanthropy Chair

Raised Money for Haiti through my Church

Recruited New Students to WSU

Red Cross

Rock the Casa

The Greatest Break Philanthropy

VIBES

Volunteer as a Mentor for Washington Achievers

Volunteered Coaching Baseball

Volunteered for Orphan Acres

----------------------------

I would like to take this chance to highlight the fact that among these students we had participants from a very wide range of groups and backgrounds. However on this day, for this philanthropy, every single student that participated was on the same ground on three different subjects.

1) Everyone had been effected by stereotypes or was aware of social norms

2) Everyone was actively getting involved with their community

3) Everyone today cared about making a difference for the better in the lives of individuals living thousands of miles away.

Think about this in the future as you make decisions about grouping individuals into common categories and look to get active within your community.

GIVE HOPE. GIVE LOVE. GIVE BACK.

Sincerely,

Go Cougs

--
Edison Kent
Director of Philanthropy and Community Outreach
Associated Students of Washington State University
(425) 268-1255 edison.kent@email.wsu.edu
http://www.aswsu.wsu.edu

[Note] We will have pictures and video from the event as soon as it becomes available.

ASWSU Lighting Initiative Completes Phase I

2010-02-08T16:37:00.000-08:00

Cougars,

Hopefully you saw the recent article in the Daily Evergreen (http://www.dailyevergreen.com/story/30686) announcing the completion of Phase I of the ASWSU Lighting Initiative. Avista Street Lights have been installed in several previously ill-lit areas of College Hill by Pullman Public Works, and a series of Decorative Lights funded by the ASWSU Students for Safety Banquet will be installed over Spring Break in front of Adam's Mall on Colorado Street.

The next Phase of the Lighting Initative will include the construction of additional Blue Light Emergency Phones on Campus, and working with Greek Chapters, Property Owners and Managers to better light alleyways that are sometimes used by students at night.

ASWSU encourages students to contact us if you have areas you believe are ill lit or unsafe and we will work to improve them.

-Chase Gunnell
Director of Greek Affairs, ASWSU Executive Board

Residence Affairs - a project update

2010-02-03T11:52:00.000-08:00

ASWSU Sponsored Scholarships

During our ASWSU executive meetings, we have talked about some pretty alarming numbers about the future of tuition and financial aid at Washington universities. With tuition already rising 14% this year and again next year, combined with the possibility of more increases in tuition and decreases in financial aid, it seems to me that protecting our students' right to an affordable college education is one the most important issues that ASWSU can focus on.

In addition to our lobbying efforts in Olympia, I thought it might be useful for ASWSU to sponsor scholarships for students in financial need. I have been told that S&A fees cannot be used in this manner, but the Bookie dividend which ASWSU just received (approx. $60,000) can be used for scholarships (and it has been in years past). One of the main issues with doing this in the past, however, was that the students in ASWSU decided who got the funding, and it was a bit corrupt from what I have heard.

This is why I have been approaching financial aid and SAED. With their assistance, it would be a more valid and transparent process. In my conversations with Milt, Connan, and Chio Flores from Financial Aid, we think that it would be possible to create approximately twenty $500 scholarships for the fall 2010 semester. It will help students purchase their books, and it would only be $10,000 out of the bookie dividend. We can use the University wide scholarship app. to narrow down the applicants, so we wouldn't need to create our own application. The next step in this project is presenting financial aid with a list of criteria that we would like to use to help pick a possible list of candidates.

To clarify, this is not a done deal, but we certainly hope it can get done and implemented for next year!

-Spenser Phelan

Winter Cougar Quarterly Released

2010-01-29T16:10:00.000-08:00

The winter version of the Cougar Quarterly has been released!

This edition of the CQ is packed with information about: tuition increases, the Cougar Coalition, and ASWSU's annual Coug Day at the Capitol. There is also information on many of ASWSU's new initiatives, including: The College Hill lighting project, ASWSU's Course Rank, Give, the Multicultural Conference Fundraising Banquet, and 509 Time.

The last page features a survey that students can fill out, on their opinions of campus. We will listen to your opinions and try to mold the university in to what the students want. ASWSU is all about reaching out to the students, listening, and using the gathered information to make positive changes.

If you would like to have your business, organization, a student, or anything else highlighted in the next ASWSU Cougar Quarterly, please contact ASWSU's Director of Campus Relations Scott Shigeoka at spokrey@gmail.com

If the picture is not loading the CQ, click here to view: http://aswsu.wsu.edu/myFiles/Cougar_Quarterly_winter_2009.pdf#zoom=100

Go Cougs!

A Day in the Capital

2010-01-26T15:38:00.000-08:00

Hello students of Washington State,

As some of you may have noticed published in the Daily Evergreen today, I was yesterday awarded Civic Leader of the Year for 2010 by the office of Sam Reed, Secretary of State. I thought I would share a few images with you from my trip to Olympia and urge you to help me continue representing Washington State University and the work that ASWSU has been doing to spread our message of civic education and duty to the world around us.

Yesterday marked my first ever trip to the capital building and our centralized government here within Washington, and over the course of the day I had the privilege of meeting Senators, District Representatives, and a wide range of civic leaders from teachers to other students. The entire trip was both engaging and educational and I had a really good time participating in workshops and witnessing in essence how our government operates on a daily basis.

As I stated in my acceptance speech, I was both humbled and honored to receive this award, but I also wanted to ensure that credit is given where credit is due; and I credit my success here at Washington State to the students around me, its fantastic faculty, school administrators and the school itself. Without the assistance of the people I work with, the people I live with, and the individuals who guide me on a daily basis, I would have never been able to attain this award or visit the capital on this Monday morning.

Around twelve o'clock on January the 25th of 2010, I witnessed the Washington State Senate unanimously pass a motion to officially recognize forever more the 25th of January as Civic Education Day in Washington State. I challenge the students of Washington State University to continue to prove that for Cougs everyday we are civically involved, and striving to better the world around us.

How Coug are you?

Give Hope. Give Love. Give Back.

Sincerely,

Edison Kent
Director of Philanthropy and Community Outreach
Associated Students of Washington State University
(425) 268-1255 edison.kent@email.wsu.edu
http://www.aswsu.wsu.edu

"509 Time" Series

2010-01-13T13:50:00.000-08:00

The NEW seminar series kicked off today in the CUB lair at 11:30. In conjunction with Peanut Butter and Jelly Club the series featured Well-being Coordinator Speaker Jamie Bentley. The topic was themed "How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint". The turn out was great and we gave away sandwiches and free car ice scrappers. The series is designed to be every other week. The next seminar will be January 27th and the Speaker will be President Floyd. Hope to see you all there for some new giveaways and a wonderful speaker!

The Residence Halls...What's going on?

2010-01-13T12:35:00.001-08:00

Housing over 4,000 students, the residence halls at WSU represent almost a third of the undergraduate population at this university. They cover a variety of communities, including age restricted halls, single gender halls, co-ed halls, a personal wellness hall, and the Stephenson complex, which is home to the math, science and engineering program. The unique thing about the residence halls is that they are a relatively self-sustaining system. Freshmen arrive on campus, are required to live in the residence halls, and fill up about three quarters of the capacity of the halls – the remaining fourth filled by returning students. The administration of the halls is efficient such that the RA staffs put on programs, serve as mentors to residents, and maintain the normal functioning of the hall. Driven students in the halls, often those students returning to the halls year after year, take charge of the remaining leadership needs by filling positions on hall government.

From an ASWSU perspective, this self-sustaining quality that the system presents offers a very unique opportunity for collaboration. With other living options on campus, the infrastructure may not necessarily be in place every year as strongly as it is in the halls. The struggle in appreciating the residence hall experience and recognizing the possible ways that it could be improved then, is perhaps more of a struggle, because it is already a well-oiled machine.

The Residence Hall Association, meeting Mondays at 7pm weekly, makes decisions in regards to the stance of the residence halls as a whole on campus-wide issues, funding programs that benefit the experience of residence hall students and always remaining accessible to each hall’s individual voice. The idea of the process is a sort of trickle down kind of representation, much like the way ASWSU Senate works. The RHA council reports information back to their hall governments, which are comprised of representatives from each floor in each residence hall, who are then responsible for disseminating that information out to each residence hall student. This is often an effective practice, but a key area for improvement is getting those normal students to care when given this information by hall leaders. The constant quandary for the residence hall leader seems to be the apathy of the part of the everyday residence hall student. Yet it is not for lack of drive and involvement from the RHA council or individual hall leaders. Those who do choose to get involved are part of the well-oiled machine and are invested in their hall for love of the community and the friendships that they find there.

From a more administrative level, I have had the opportunity to be a part of the Housing and Dining Advisory Board. Through this board, the more technical aspects of living in the residence halls have come into focus. This board sets the prices for living in the residence hall each year and the cost for dining plans. This year, even with the costs of inflation on utilities and food, the board was able to keep the percent increase on living in the residence halls to under three percent – A number which I’m told is lower than any increase made in at least the last ten years. Furthermore, a success for students as a whole is the achievement of an RDA rollover plan for those returning to the residence halls each year. If you have RDA dollars left on your account they will roll over to the next fall, assuming that you maintain an RDA contract.

Welcom Back for 2nd Semester

2010-01-11T20:40:00.000-08:00

It is that time of the year again and ASWSU cheerfully welcomes you back to Washington State University. We hope your winter break was full of warm memories and that you are energized for the rest of the school year.

Our ASWSU Executives have taken advantage of first semester and winter break to implement creative ideas and innovative programs to enhance your “Cougar Experience.” Please explore our website to see various projects we are currently working on. For the remainder of the semester we will continue to push traditional boundaries to ensure that your needs and expectations are being met.

Consistent with last semester, ASWSU will continue to provide the services students enjoy most. PB&J Club will still be held every Wednesday at noon in the Cub Lair. Simply, stop by for free sandwiches and the chance to converse with special guests. Additionally, Safewalk will remain operating on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Please call 335-WALK to utilize the service.

Our driving goal is to empower you with all the tools and resources you need to achieve your aspirations at Washington State University. However, our motto doesn’t stop there. To achieve ultimate success, you must empower yourself by voicing your positions and pursuing your passions. ASWSU will always have an open door for your service and open ears to listen to your concerns, comments, or compliments.

ASWSU is looking forward to a remarkable rest of the year and is committed to advocating your interests. Keep your eyes open for our Cougar Quarterly newsletter and ongoing updates to our website (ASWSU.wsu.edu). We encourage you to come and visit our offices in CUB 314 and to get involved this year. Again welcome back, have a fantastic rest of the year, and GO COUGS!

Derick En’Wezoh
ASWSU President

Welcome to CourseRank

2010-01-11T17:53:00.000-08:00

Fellow Cougs,

ASWSU would like to introduce CourseRank, a new way to plan your journey through WSU. Use CourseRank to plan your academic career, rate and review classes, ask questions, sell textbooks, and much more.

CourseRank has the option of Facebook Connect, so activity done on the CourseRank website can automatically be added to your Facebook profile page.

Check it out at http://wsu.courserank.com.

Joshua Meyer
ASWSU Chief of Staff

Last PB&J Club for Fall '09

2009-12-03T13:46:00.000-08:00

Hey Cougs, hope you had a Ballin’ Thanksgiving break!

If you want to win free WSU basketball gear, get to know the players and coaches, play with an 8-feet inflatable basketball game, and eat some free PB&J sandwiches then read below!

Here’s the throw down for Wednesday, December 9^th at Noon in the CUB Lair:

If you love WSU Basketball, and want to meet the players and the coaches, come to the final PB&J Club of the semester! The festivities will start at noon on Wednesday, December 9^th and will be held in the CUB Lair (trust me, you can’t miss it!). There will be over 400 PB&J sandwiches for students, so bring your friends!

In addition to meeting the players and the coaches, there will be tons of WSU Basketball giveaways! Win WSU basketballs, WSU Basketball t-shirts and other fun and exciting prizes courtesy of WSU Athletics.

There will also be an 8-feet inflatable basketball game called, “Hooleyball,” for everyone to play! Have fun as you race against the 60 second shot clock while shooting basketballs from a video rocking chair. Try to get more baskets than your opponent in the time allotted!

ASWSU is turning PB&J Club in to an even more interactive program next semester, be on the look out!

If you are interested in having an organization, fraternity or sorority, residence hall, club or specific individual be a guest at the PB&J Club for the Spring 2010 semester, contact me via e-mail at spokrey@wsu.edu!

Go Cougs!

Scott Shigeoka

Director of Campus Relations

Recreational Field Improvements

2009-11-30T15:18:00.000-08:00

Whether you are a hardcore WSU Intramural participant, or just like to play pick up games with your friends, you may have noticed the diminishing conditions of the Valley and Grimes road play fields. WSU Recreation has developed a plan for both organized and informal recreational activities. University Recreation aims to offer the finest conditions for all students who wish to partake in activities on these fields.

This project is focusing in on bettering the field surface with an artificial surface, increasing the drainage, lighting and overall access to the fields. The better quality and accessibility will better year-round play without closure for weather or maintenance. The aesthetics will be vastly improved with better lighting, new fences and an overall improved playing surface. In terms of the campaign 'Be Crimson, Go Green', the artificial surface replacing natural grass would eliminate nearly 15,000,000 gallons of water between the two fields combined.

The overall beauty of this improvement is that the project would be funded without the creation of a new student fee. Annual S&A fees will be allocated to fund this 10.6 million dollar estimated project. Look forward to a survey to gauge student interest here in the coming weeks. This survey will identify how many students are in favor of this project and the numbers of students who truly support this advancement in WSU recreational and athletic opportunities.

Jake Bredstrand
Director of Operations and Committee Outreach

Funding Applications Available

2009-11-30T12:13:00.000-08:00

Hey Cougs!

I hope everyone had a great break! I just wanted to let everyone know about the opportunities ASWSU offers you whether you need support or a way to get involved. As the Director of Finance it is my responsibility to maintain all of the finances as well as ensure that money spent is beneficial for the students. We have developed a funding request form available on the website or at this link http://aswsu.wsu.edu/current_projects_program_funding.aspx. Registered Student Organizations or groups from around campus can apply for funding from the ASWSU Executive Staff as long as it meets our requirements. The most important requirement is that your program or event you are requesting funding for is open to all students. The request form provides all instructions on how to apply. If you have any questions feel free to send me an email.

Also, if you have a program you would like advertised throughout the community or would just like to spread the word, contact me! I do a weekly radio show called Wazzu Wednesday with Steve Shannon from the local radio station, ZFun 106.1. The show is two hours long and we have plenty of time to talk about your program or group. ASWSU also has other opportunities for you to get involved such as PB&J Club, GIVE, and SafeWalk. We are currently working on purchasing more items for SafeWalk to ensure a safer atmosphere for our volunteers, such as jackets, flashlights, and Yak Tracks for those icy nights. I encourage everyone to contact me or any member of the staff if you have any questions or concerns regarding ASWSU or Washington State University in general. We are here for the students and want to hear your feedback. I also encourage everyone to check out our website as it has changed drastically since the beginning of the year and is looking great.

Thank you for your support and continuing reading the ASWSU for more updates on what we’re up to. Hang in there during finals and have a great winter break!

Morgan McClincy
Director of Finance

2009-11-16T21:23:00.000-08:00

Hello Cougs I hope everyone is ready to have a safe and fun Thanksgiving break in a few days. I just wanted to take a second to remind you of a recent event that we organized in conjunction with our local police and fire departments, the Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic and Alpha Omicron Pi among other campus groups.

About two weeks ago on November the 3rd, we held a large event during our first annual Anti Drunk Driving Awareness Week. Right around eight in the morning we began to set up and within the next sixty minutes students on the mall would be faced with a scene that few often witness and some have never experienced at all. Below is an image of a fatal car crash that we staged on the steps of Todd Hall on that morning.

Thanks to ASWSU and the Student Advertisement Funding Board, which was recently established this year, we were able to have a full page ad in the Daily Evergreen and also supply students with 250 shirts that bore the words Take Their Keys- We're not Invincible.

WSU has at times had an unfortunate history of loosing friends, family and coworkers to this terrible decision that's completely preventable if we only choose to obey the law, respect our loved ones, and protect our community and the individuals around us.

Please make the decision to be safe this next week and in the future as we show unity as Cougars in our decision to not drink and drive.

I would like to personally congratulate Alpha Omicron Pi, whose sorority was able to raise hundreds of dollars to soon begin a scholarship in the name of honoring the memory of our many lost friends. They will also be working towards safety initiatives to protect students both in the present and future.

Additionally we would like to extend a special thanks to Triple D Towing for the donation of their time, service and car for the event. Thank you once again to all of our sponsors for empowering our message and clearly reaching a number of students.

GIVE HOPE. GIVE LOVE. GIVE BACK.

Sincerely,

Edison Kent
Director of Philanthropy and Community Outreach
Associated Students of Washington State University

Residence Affairs

2009-11-02T12:13:00.000-08:00

Hey Cougars! In the exciting world of residence halls, I have been working with the Residence Hall Association to hammer out a resolution regarding the Good Samaritan Policy. There has been some lively discussion over the past two weeks about the specific wording of the policy, but I think the policy is getting good feedback in a general sense. Let me know if you have any questions or feedback on the policy!

Also, now that the Safety Banquet is over (and was a HUGE success!), I am moving on to a new project...I am very interested in student recognition, and so along with the other execs, we are looking to start a "How Wazzu are You?" effort on our website that would involve recognition. The project would involve students taking short, 1-1.5 minute videos of themselves that show what being a Cougar means to them. The videos would also appear on the Admissions website and be judged by the Admissions office staff to receive fabulous prizes (which include video cameras!)

Also, we're already starting to think about the Multicultural Fundraising Banquet in February!

That's all for now,
Residence Hall pride :)
-Spense

2009-10-28T13:08:00.000-07:00

Hello once again everyone,

Just last weekend on October the 24th, GIVE and ASWSU representatives partnered with the Center for Civic Engagement in an effort to maximize the impact produced by a project we've planning known as National Make a Difference Day. What follows is a general description of the project and a few pictures of us working to make a difference within the Pullman community.

Make a Difference Day is a national service day, which is one of a series of service days that the CCE will be sponsoring throughout the remainder of the year. The general concept behind these projects is to come together as a communal force, and positively impact our local communities through service projects and initiatives. To accomplish this goal the CCE works closely with community partners to develop projects where Washington State students can reach out to our community and give back to the city and environment that we call home.

ASWSU and GIVE in particular helped sponsor this event by taking charge of a Rake Run for the CCE, and getting out in the community to help elderly citizens get rid of the leaves that have been accumulating in their yards. For the individuals assisted with this project, manual labor of this nature can at times be either a daunting or impossible task, and it was extremely evident how appreciative they were of the work that we accomplished and the impact that we were making in the community. Below are a few pictures from the project that document the type of work that we were doing on Saturday.

Here is Derick En'Wezoh, President of the Associated Students of ASWSU, working on the back yard for one of our community partners.

We had a total of fifteen people at our Rake Run and we split off into three different groups to take routes in different areas throughout the city of Pullman. Some of the houses that we helped in the community had tools that we could use to help facilitate the process, but also each group was equipped with their own supply of rakes, gloves, and bags to do work.

This is Sam Shaddox, ASWSU Director of Legislative Affairs. In this picture he was finishing up the side of one of the houses we worked on.

Our groups were out in the community for a total of three hours and we racked up about forty five hours of registered service through the CCE.

Here is Sam and Derick planning the best course of action on how to tackle this drive way and clean out the leaves.

Groups were led the entire time by either Exec Board members from ASWSU or Group Leaders from the Center for Civic Engagement. The general consensus was that everyone had fun and was proud of the work that we were able to do for the community.

Before and after images of the front yard of a house we worked on.

Before:

After:

And here is the final product after Sam, Derick and myself finished loading up all our leaves for the day. Twenty full garbage bags which we would drop off with other groups at a recycling site.

Continue to watch this space for future updates about CCE projects and National Days of Service, and thank you to everyone who contributed to our project and the success of Make a Difference Day.

Edison Kent
Director of Philanthropy and Community Outreach
Associated Students of Washington State University
(425) 268-1255 edison.kent@email.wsu.edu
http://www.aswsu.wsu.edu

ASWSU Lighting Initiative Updates

2009-10-28T12:52:00.000-07:00

Cougs,

My name is Chase Gunnell and I am this years Director of Greek Affairs. As part of my position I serve as the chief ASWSU representative to projects on College Hill, including coordinating with Pullman City Council, the Pullman Planning Commissions CORE Plan, and as a Director on the Board of the College Hill Assocation. My current biggest project in this regard is the ASWSU Lighting Initiative.

The ASWSU Lighting Initiative was begun last fall to address lighting deficiencies on College Hill that could potentially lead to an unsafe environment for students and community residents. Just over $31,000 was allocated for lighting improvements from funds raised at last years Students For Safety Banquet, and an initial map of proposed light improvements was created. Regrettably, the project lost momentum with the turmoil of last Spring's University District proposal.

This fall, I renewed emphasis on the project, coordinating with WSU, Pullman Public Works and the Pullman Planning Commission, Avista Corporation and the College Hill Association. A walkthrough was conducted of College Hill on 10/18 by myself and other ASWSU Senators and Executives to update the Lighting Map with locations most effective at reducing lighting deficiencies and most applicable to the needs of WSU Students. Chase meet with Pullman Public Works Director Mark Workman and Avista Corp. Engineer Tim Olson that week to go over the new locations and discuss implementation strategies for the project. The project was also discussed at length during the College Hill Association meeting and Pullman Planning Commission Hearings at the end of October.

Ideally, we are hoping the ASWSU Lighting Initiative will go as follows: The city will confirm all or most of our proposed new Avista Standard Street Light locations, install new lights and pay to maintain them as they are under city jurisdiction. The updated locations for these new street lights are the corner of Garfield and Indiana, Oak Street between Ruby and Opal, Opal Street between Oak and Ash, and Maiden Lane between Spaulding and Maple. Tree maintenance will be conducted on Indiana and Maple streets to allow for greater light proliferation. Light maintenance will be done on Opal Street, Maple Extension and Spaulding Street to address damaged or broken lights. These locations will be addressed by the Pullman Public Works in the upcoming weeks.

Decorative lights, funded by ASWSU and branded with ASWSU and City of Pullman plaques will be added to Campus Street and Colorado Street to serve as the most visible aspect of this project as well as improving lighting in the most trafficked areas on College Hill. Two or Three lights and a new sidewalk will be constructed on B Street from California to Alpha Streets, co-funded by ASWSU and the City of Pullman. ASWSU will continue to work with the CHA, landowners, property managers and Fraternity and Sorority Chapters in hopes of installing Area and floodlights in dark alleys that could be co-funded by the property owners, Greek Chapters and ASWSU.

At this point, we are waiting to receive survey and estimate information from Pullman Public Works and Avista Corporation. We are also exploring options to communicate with Property Owners and Managers about potentially raising additonal funds for the project, as it benefits their tenets and can possible raise their property values.

Installing new lights in the College Hill neighborhood is a complicated process involving a number of players. But it is our hope that we can get these lights in the ground and create a safer campus and community environment for all.

Cheers,

Chase Gunnell

ASWSU Director of Greek Affairs

chasegunnell@wsu.edu

Introduction to GIVE

2009-10-26T15:16:00.001-07:00

Hello everyone,

My name is Edison Kent and I am the Director of Philanthropy and Community Outreach for the Associated Students of Washington State University. This year to date I have been working diligently to collaborate with both student groups and the Center for Civic Engagement to organize service projects on campus and raise awareness in the community about issues effecting students and our global community.

One way in which ASWSU has supported these efforts has been through the creation and backing of a philanthropic subdivision known as GIVE. GIVE is a student run, grassroots organization focused on empowering students who care about making a difference. We have so far this semester been working on large scale service projects such as National Days of Service and our own group of specialized philanthropies, projects and events.

GIVE as a student run organization has the central goal of continuing in the future to focus attention on issues affecting local, regional, national and international audiences, and the only way in which we can succeed with this goal is with the continued support and involvement of Washington State students. This organization is open to all students and encourages diversity by identifying common issues and working toward finding solutions. If you would like any more information about how you can get involved or have ideas about projects that warrant our attention, please come to one of our meetings each Thursday between 5:30 and 6:30pm, on the third floor of the CUE building in room 319.

Thank you for your support and we look forward to our future collaboration. Please watch this space in the future for information about projects with GIVE, as well as other service opportunities through the CCE and other campus groups.

You can additionally join GIVE's Facebook group via the following link.

Sincerely,

Edison Kent
Director of Philanthropy and Community Outreach
Associated Students of Washington State University
(425) 268-1255 edison.kent@email.wsu.edu
http://www.aswsu.wsu.edu

President's Student Advisory Board

2009-10-21T20:51:00.000-07:00

Fellow Cougs,

Today the President’s Student Advisory Board met for the second time this semester. The President’s Student Advisory Board is composed of President Floyd and twenty-eight students, each with a unique background and experience at WSU. The purpose of the President’s Student Advisory Board is to allow WSU students to assist and advise our University President, Elson S. Floyd, on issues important to the student population.

The overriding theme of today’s meeting was the WSU student experience and if student expectations are being met by the University. Topics discussed by the board included technology, career connections, study abroad experiences, and internship opportunities. Additionally, we discussed the student desire to have Washington State University administer graduate admissions exams such as the GRE, MCAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

President Floyd was very receptive to all student expectations conveyed at the meeting. I thank him for continued commitment to the students. If you would like to learn more about the President Student Advisory Board and the topics we discuss at each meeting please visit http://aswsu.wsu.edu/branches_advisory_board.aspx. Additionally, you can submit comments if you have any feedback for the board or would like to advance a topic you are particularly passionate about. Thank you and stay tuned for more blog entries by me.

-DCE

ASWSU Blog Now Open

2009-10-21T17:38:00.000-07:00

Hey Cougars!

The ASWSU Blog is now open. This blog will be used to communicate to students important information coming out of ASWSU.

If you have any questions about ASWSU, please refer to the ASWSU website at http://www.aswsu.wsu.edu and feel free to contact any of the Senators or Executive Board members. Contact information on the website can be found under ASWSU Branches, then by clicking on the respective branch, and then clicking on staff.

Please check back often!

-ASWSU Chief of Staff