Editor’s note: Dorothy Greenhalge has worked with The Daily Evergreen for several semesters but was not involved with working on this article
ASWSU held its last senate meeting of the academic year on Wednesday.
During public testimony, members of the Young Democratic Socialists of America at WSU addressed senators regarding their lack of action towards the current ongoing conflict in Gaza following a protest that was held on campus earlier in the day to urge the school to divest from organizations such as Boeing and Lockheed Martin.
YDSA president Connor Luce, ASWSU a few weeks ago and said senators can not sit by and do nothing.
“It’s been 200 days since October 7. Since I last spoke to y’all, over 2,000 people have died,” he said.
YDSA member Dorothy Greenhalge (they/them) said WSU has a history of divestment from causes contributing to apartheid.
“In the legacy of past divestment at WSU purely with South African apartheid, it’s more important now than ever that WSU ceases investment from companies which actively participate in the apartheid in Gaza,” they said.
While the conflict is geographically far, the emotional impact of it is still felt by many students and faculty members here at WSU, Greenhalge said. WSU also directly contributes financially to the apartheid in Palestine.
“In the consciousness of human rights, it’s necessary that WSU discloses and divests from all investments that participate in the Palestinian apartheid,” they said. “I would encourage you all to listen directly to these students that have been coming to talk to you this entire time.”
ASWSU President Luke Deschenes said among some of this year’s achievements were the incorporation of free fentanyl testing strips in the Cougs recovery NARCAN training, volunteering and attending multiple Chamber of Commerce events, holding two successful joint meetings with Pullman City Council and increasing ASWSU’ Instagram page following from 3,800 followers to 5,000.
Deschenes said while ASWSU was able to accomplish a lot this year, progress in higher education takes a long time and his primary hope is to ensure the continuity of student government at WSU.
“As I look to the future, I think it’s important that ASWSU Pullman leaders are granted on the hiring committee for President Schulz’s successor,” he said. “I see the senate as a really unique bridge between academic and student affairs and I encourage all of you to work with your successors and provide them advice.”
Senators voted on various legislative items, including eight bills and three resolutions. Among them was, Resolution R53-10, authored by Sen. Andrew Davila, called for the installation of a crosswalk on Wilson Road in order to make the pathway more accessible and safe for student pedestrians. The resolution was unanimously approved.
Resolution R53-11, co-authored by Sen. Lilly Vo and Ryan Stroup, called for the standardization of waste management in the residence halls on the Pullman campus, which would include the presence of recycling bins alongside trash cans in individual dorm rooms. The resolution was sponsored by all senators and unanimously approved as well.
Resolution R53-12 which was co-authored by Sen. Jonathan Hernandez and Anusha Bose called for the implementation of the WSU Instagram page in different languages to improve accessibility and promote diversity and inclusivity. The resolution was unanimously approved.
