At the ASSU Undergraduate Senate’s March 12 meeting, senators struggled with two amendments to the ASSU Constitution. One amendment was withdrawn after extensive debate, while the other was initially approved for the spring election ballot before senators realized it hadn’t received the necessary two-thirds approval.
At the Feb. 26 meeting of the ASSU Undergraduate Senate, senators passed a bill to extend the ASSU elections declaration deadline from March 1 to March 8.
Eitan Winer Pinkas ’12 M.S. ’12 was recently appointed CEO of Stanford Student Enterprises (SSE), the organization responsible for maintaining the long-term financial stability of the ASSU. He will begin work in July, leading a staff of almost 100 employees and managing more than $15 million in investments and $2 million in annual revenues for a two-year term. Winer Pinkas sat down with The Daily to discuss how he is preparing for the job and what his plans are for the SSE.
At its Jan. 22 meeting, the ASSU Undergraduate Senate discussed interest in their $80k grant programs and voted to fund the purchase of equipment to furnish a temporary music practice space in Stern Hall.
During a time of funding shortfalls for universities and student groups across the country, the ASSU has not only avoided running a deficit, but has continued to add to its $1.2 million general fees reserves and buffer funds – in large part because it seldom fully spends the money it receives from student fees.
Despite having passed over 40 pieces of legislation during its term thus far, the 13th ASSU Undergraduate Senate has struggled to make an impact this year due to bureaucratic gridlock, opposition from University officials and inconsistency in following its own legislation. The Senate’s actions have proven largely internal or ineffectual – a far cry from the representatives’ platforms touting transparency, accountability and student life issues.
Against the advice of Neveen Mahmoud ’11, the CEO of Stanford Student Enterprises (SSE) and the financial manager for the ASSU, the ASSU Undergraduate Senate passed a bill Tuesday authorizing the allocation of $35,000 from the Undergraduate Special Buffer Fund to the Stanford Concert Network. The Graduate Student Council (GSC) will consider the bill tomorrow.
Stanford Student Enterprises (SSE), the financial branch of the ASSU, started two new business ventures this academic year. SSE opened Campus Mobile, an AT&T authorized retailer, in Tresidder Memorial Union on Sept. 7, and is preparing for the public opening of Ground Up, an off-campus coffee shop, next Wednesday.