UI Student Government and Elections

Students voted in campus elections (unofficial results here) this past week that included non-binding referendum and Student Senate elections. From the News-Gazette on Friday:

UI students vote down resolution to make 'Alma Otter' next mascot
...
In a nonbinding referendum this week, University of Illinois students voted down a proposal to make it the official symbol of the Illini by just 300 votes. The unofficial tally was 3,510 in support to 3,807 against.

Though it was created as a joke by three UI students, Alma Otter had gained traction online and was eventually placed on the ballot for the spring student election. The vote was only advisory to the administration...

Other election measures

— By a 4,000-vote margin, students recommended that the Office of Student Affairs increase funding for the UI Counseling Center to add staff and make it more accessible to students, with online scheduling, extended hours, advertised walk-in hours and clinicians placed in academic units. Demand has grown significantly in recent years and students have complained of scheduling difficulties.

— Students approved a $3.50-per-semester fee increase to support a tuition-aid fund for students who demonstrate financial need but don't otherwise qualify for financial aid. They also reauthorized the Student Equal Access to Learning Fee for another four years, a $5.20-per-semester fee that supplements existing financial aid for students with need.

— Students agreed to create a $1-per-semester fee to support Illinois Student Government.

— A measure calling on the university and the UI Foundation to divest from any fossil-fuel companies by 2020 was approved.

— Voters also reauthorized for another four years the $2.58-per-semester Cultural Programming Fee, which supports campus cultural houses and related programs, and the $1-per-semester Bicycle Programs and Infrastructure Fee, which pays for bike paths, bike parking and similar projects.

— Students re-elected Treyshawn Mitchell to a third term as student trustee from Urbana.

More at the full article here. In related news and to help me catch up, here's also a few updates from the most recent UI Student Senate meetings:

News-Gazette coverage of the February meeting here. Excerpt:

A measure to give University of Illinois students relief from rising textbook prices and classroom costs won overwhelming approval from the campus Academic Senate on Monday, though one provision was dropped at the urging of faculty voters.

Also Monday, senators handily approved a resolution highlighting the tools professors can use to deal with disruptive students in their classes, which evolved from an earlier measure aimed at classroom "trolls." Senate leaders said a separate task force is needed to study the emerging threat of cyberharassment.

News-Gazette coverage of the March meeting here. Excerpts:

A proposal to devote more resources to help students and employees affected by sexual misconduct was endorsed overwhelmingly by the University of Illinois Academic Senate on Monday.

By a vote of 111-1, senators approved a resolution urging the campus to hire more confidential advocates at the Women's Resources Center, often a first stop for victims of sexual harassment or sexual violence...

Also Monday, officials said this year's Unofficial St. Patrick's Day event resulted in 28 tickets for alcohol-related offenses and just one arrest — someone trying to intervene with another person getting a ticket, said campus spokeswoman Robin Kaler.

Eleven people were transported to the hospital for drinking-related issues, but no serious injuries, she said.

The number of tickets issued was far below the last few years — 57 in 2018 and 114 the year before.

Additional information in each of those articles available here and here.The Daily Illini had more details about the unofficial numbers here. Excerpt:

The campus received 28 citations for Unofficial St. Patrick’s Day this year, which is over a 50 percent drop from last year’s 57.

Jeff Hamilton, communications manager for the City of Champaign, said in an email a total of 28 city Notices to Appear were issued during Unofficial. Only one arrest was made for aggravated battery to a police officer and a total of 11 medical transports were reported. 

This year’s Unofficial was a very mild event, something the City of Champaign and law enforcement are glad to see, Hamilton said.

Patrick Wade, communications director for the University of Illinois Police Department, said in an email that citations from the University celebration has gone down half from 2018. The number of citations given has also been declining during the past few years.

In 2017, 113 NTA’s were issued, Hamilton said.  

Full article here. More on what was done this year to reduce unofficial problems at the News-Gazette from last month here. University official commented on the downward trend and their desire to see it continue here.