Aguilar proposes creation of more club advocates

Dan Hoffman Arizona Daily Wildcat Associated Students Sen. Morgan Long makes a point while Sen. Rosanna Savone looks on. Long took issue with a proposal by Administrative Vice President-elect Ryan Rosensteel to create a new paid ASUA position.

"I don't see the need to relinquish positive programs," Sen. Morgan Long said after the hour-long Associated Students Senate meeting held in the Memorial Student Union Tucson Room. "If you take it out of the Senate, we have less and less to be recognized for."

The proposal, created mainly by Administrative Vice President-elect Ryan Rosensteel, an ASUA club advocate, suggests a new position should be added to the ASUA constitution creating a new community development program with a paid director and some unpaid subdirectors.

But several senators raised red flags because, like Long, they were concerned that power over major programs like her Residence Hall Association/ASUA Basketball League would be usurped from future senators and turned over to the new service.

ASUA President Gilbert Davidson warned the senators not to insert the new program into the constitution, suggesting that they vote for a one-year trial period that allows for an evaluation before committing to the new plan.

"Once it's institutionalized, it's very hard to get it out of there," Davidson said. "Don't give up the power you have - don't give away what you guys have earned."

But Aguilar shot back, saying that while programs such as the Big Event, an annual community cleanup activity, are beneficial, few Senate members are actively involved.

"Is it really giving the Senate something to do or is it giving one senator something to do?" Aguilar said.

Sen. Summer Katzenbach, who headed the Big Event, said the new idea may stop some Senate candidates from basing their campaigns on programs that already exist.

"I think it's politicking - running on issues because they're there," Katzenbach said. "Four senators ran on the Big Event and none talked to me and none were even there."

Aguilar also said programs like the basketball league do not have to be ripped out of the senators' hands, adding that they can still have control over projects.

"If a senator wants to be gung-ho about it, they can," Aguilar said. "We're just creating its own entity."

The suggestion of a new entity sparked an inquiry from ex-officio Sen. Brian Seastone.

"This appears to be making another level of bureaucracy in ASUA and creating an additional paid position," said Seastone, university police commander. "While you're cutting back, you're adding too."

Davidson agreed, and said perhaps the Senate might opt for a volunteer director.

"I don't necessarily think you need a whole new position," he said. "If we can bring in the volunteer element, I think we should try that first."

Aguilar also brought up a proposal to increase the number of ASUA club advocates from three to six.

He presented a plan to abolish the chief of staff position for the executive vice president, which is currently held by Mary Brandenberger. The money given to Brandenberger would contribute to stipends for the additional advocates, giving them $800 each.

Aguilar explained to the Senate that the extra advocates would have plenty of tasks to keep them busy. He wants one advocate to serve as Web master for ASUA's Web site, one to be elected by the other advocates as a club chair and three to attend Appropriations Board meetings.

"We need to reach out more to our clubs and organizations," Aguilar said. "They act as a liaison."

The Senate is expected to vote on both issues next week.