The ASWSU Environmental Sustainability Alliance is working to replace Coug Bikes with electric scooters by the end of fall, and is determining the location for a planned community garden.

ESA is set to table for their petition this week and is hoping to make progress on it in the next month, said ESA chair Stevie Fawcett in an ASWSU Senate meeting Wednesday night. 

WSU’s solid waste manager approved a test of more compost and recycling locations on campus, Fawcett said. If the test goes well, ESA is looking at expanding signage and locations. 

Elections

The general ASWSU presidential debate will be 6-8 p.m. on March 6, and the multicultural debate will be 4-6 p.m. on March 21. Both will be in the Compton Union Building Senior Ballroom, said election board chair Viviana Murillo Rangel. 

ASWSU President Brian Patrick said he has worked with the executive budget council to catch up to universities around the country by providing transparency with the student body. 

Patrick said he is working diligently in preparation for elections to get everything ready for his predecessor come May 15. 

Other reports

Diego Lopez, ASWSU deputy director of legislative affairs, said students who are interested in joining the Cougar Lobby Team can attend a recruiting meeting from 6-8 p.m. on April 13 in Butch’s Den.  

Sydney Finch, ASWSU chief of staff and finance, gave reports from several ASWSU directors who were unable to attend the meeting. 

The 18th annual multicultural banquet fundraiser will be held from 5-7 p.m. on March 3 in the CUB Senior Ballroom, Finch said on behalf of Jenna Fitzgerald, ASWSU director of inclusion, diversity, and veteran affairs. The banquet raises money for the SHAPING, CASHE and VIBES conferences, she said.

Nuthaphol “Cody” Ongpituk, ASWSU director of safety, is still coordinating the upcoming CPR training and certification event on March 26 in the Chinook Student Center room 150. Applications to attend are due on March 5, and 50 students will be able to attend, Finch said on Ongpituk’s behalf. 

Fatimah Albaqshi, ASWSU director of community affairs, is currently working on Restaurant Week, which is set to start Monday. The restaurants involved this semester are Birch and Barley, Sella’s Calzone and Pizza, Paradise Creek Brewery, O-Ramen and Porch Light Pizza, Finch said on Albaqshi’s behalf. 

Chris Boyan, WSU Transportation Services director, said the Transit Advisory Group suggested Transportation Services increase student fees from $36.08 to $37.88 per semester. Pullman Transit increases its cost yearly, so they need more money to provide transit for students. 

Pro Tempore Katie Carstens presented a bill that would require senators to meet with the dean of their respective college once a semester. 

Specified senators will meet with their college’s dean and at-large senators will meet with the Division of Student Affairs, Carstens said. The senate voted to pass the bill.