Sorry for the delays in getting this up; the Internet is still unsteady at the new house. The Wildcat‘s summary can be viewed here. Of course, nothing important was passed; instead, it was mostly a discussion of the big programs coming up, the most important of which is the UA Votes 2008 program, intended to increase student turnout at the polls this year.

This UA Votes 2008 program should cause a bit of unease, and not just because of my reactionary, anti-democratic tendencies. For one, the person hired full-time to be the ASA Campus Organizer is none other than Erin Hertzog, former ASUA President and former boss of current President Tommy Bruce (he was her chief of staff). Bruce spelled it out as much: Hertzog was hired with the funds gained with the ASA student fee increase. I’m sure Ms. Hertzog is more than qualified, but the connections are incestuous enough to make me cringe.

Secondly, and more importantly, is the fact that ASUA is just one member in a broader coalition, a coalition that is lead in part by the Arizona PIRG, a very “progressive” organization. Of course, when asked about funds, Bruce emphasized that because of the university’s status, no funds will go to political groups. Yet any coalition with PIRG as a major pillar clearly has a purpose; and I can’t imagine that, say, Jim Manzi’s arguments about global warming will be presented in any voter education program. 

Other notes:

-The only debate for CD-8, between standing Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D), and challenger Tim Bee (R), will take place on September 16, in the Grand Ballroom. 

-In order to combat crime on campus (such as this outrageous story, which wasn’t even picked up by the Wildcat), we have the debut of a new cabinet position of Safety Director, whose main task will be the implementation of a “Safety Commission.” What exactly this will do to make for a safer campus, other than the classic exhortations for “public awareness,” is unclear. It sounds all-too-much like a Congressional solution: when a serious issue arises, call a commission and take a four-day weekend.

-There is still one open Senate seat. The application packets will be due September 4, and the election will be held on September 17. Here’s hoping that we get a completely odd-ball candidate in there.