Story 1: Meeting Story

The ASWSU Senate Board approves a funding request from the International Students’ Council (ISC) to support a speed dating and cultural entertainment event on the WSU campus.

During the board’s January 26 meeting, Mark Hardee, domestic vice president of ISC, and Eva Hui, the council’s international public relations chair, presented a request for $1,000 to help fund their “iConnections” event. The funding is to cover the cost of food for the event, and Hardee said they expect to recover that amount from ticket sales.

“The event was a big hit last year and we expect a bigger turn out this year,” Hardee said. He said tickets are $5 and they expect 180 to 200 people to attend.

Hardee and Hui said the event includes international speed dating and cultural performances. There will be two performances from the Pacific Islanders Club and food provided by Golden Teriyaki. Hardee said last year 90 students attended the event and this year graduate students are also invited to join in.

ISC, one of ASWSU’s largest committees, received their funding approval by a vote of 12-1. Senator Tim Kirima thought because the event is expanding to include graduate students it made the approval process that much easier.

“It’s important to support ISC,” Kirima said. “They are our organization and it’s up to us to support them.” Senator Tristan Hanon voted against approving the funding because he felt $1,000 was a large chunk to commit to one event.

“It sounds like a fantastic program, but we have such a small program budget,” Hanon said. “I want to use it for something impactful.” After the request was approved and the ISC members left the meeting, Hanon jumped up and followed them out the door.

“I felt the need to explain why and encouraged them to pursue funding from other sources,” Hanon said. He hopes the event is a success and said next year his response might be different. The ISC was happy with the overall decision.

“I was not surprised about receiving the funds for iConnections,” Hardee said. “I knew the Senate would really like to back this event.”

The event will take place February 11th from 6-10 p.m. in Ensminger Pavilion. Hardee encourages anyone to attend even if you already found that special someone.

“Students should attend this event regardless of whether or not they are in a relationship,” Hardee said. “Although speed dating is the main event of iConnections, ISC's focus is on enabling students to bridge the cultural gap that exists between domestic and international students.”

The Senate Board also approved Senator Hanon as the new assistant to the Director of Legislative Affairs, Jeremy Trevino. Hanon said Jeremy and Jake Bredstrand, ASWSU’s president, mentioned the position to him. Bredstrand said Hanon is the perfect choice.

“He carries himself with great professionalism and is very engaged in all things political,” Bredstrand said. “Overall, he has been a strong asset to Jeremy in assisting with our overall lobbying efforts, and it made perfect sense to move forward with him in a distinguished role. Bredstrand hopes ASWSU will be able to utilize this position for years to come.