The Association of Students of the University of Nebraska held its first meeting of the fall Wednesday night.
During the meeting, the executive board and committee chairs updated the senate about the ASUN activities during the summer as well as their plans for the fall.
At the meeting, ASUN Speaker Jared Widseth, a senior general studies major, and Government Liaison Committee Chair Lane Carr, a junior political science major, spoke to the senate about plans to discuss and collaborate with other colleges and universities about issues facing students.
In his report, Widseth spoke about Public Talks, which is a part of the Institute for Public Dialogue. It brings colleges and universities from across the world together via teleconference to discuss political issues.
"It's the student-to-student approach to policy ideas," he said after the meeting.
These universities include Princeton University, the University of Essex in the United Kingdom and The Chinese University in Hong Kong in China. "Ideally, it will open up dialogue and conversation with other universities," Widseth said.
In his report, ASUN President Justin Solomon, a senior education and family sciences major, spoke about being admitted to the Big Ten Conference. UNL was admitted to the Big Ten Conference June 11.
He and several other ASUN members attended the Association of Big Ten Students conference, which took place Aug. 6-8.
Solomon also reported that UNL will be hosting the Big Ten on the Hill in Washington D.C.
Carr gave more details about hosting the conference in his report.
"We kind of took the reins on (hosting the conference), which is exciting," he said.
After the meeting, Carr said they were welcomed in the Big Ten with open arms.
"Our goal is to do a really good job (on hosting the conference) so it can set the bar for future conferences," he said.
The Big Ten on the Hill conference gives the student body governments a chance to speak to congressional representatives in Washington D.C., about concerns students have.
Carr said he was looking forward to the opportunity to go to the United States capital and talking with Nebraska congressional representatives.
The senate was also updated on the status of the 475-RIDE service, which was a concern last year due to budget concerns.
Chief of Staff Emily Schlichting, a junior political science major, reported the services were only $300 over budget, adding that they were still monitoring abuse of the service.
"We're going to be keeping track of people flying under the radar with two rides a month," she said.
Schlichting credited the sale of "The Shirt" for this decrease of budget problems. Money from "The Shirt" sales went to funding 475-RIDE.
Senator Kelsey Redding, a senior marketing major, spoke about "The Shirt" sales, saying that they met their goal of selling 3,000 shirts.
"I think I've seen five or six people on campus wearing them on campus today," she said, "and I get excited when I see them."
KIMBUCKLEY@
DAILYNEBRASKAN.COM
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