Revised Speech/Meeting Story

ASWSU Backs Res Life Appeals

New Resolution Gives Parapros Job Security

The Associated Students of Washington State University senate passed a resolution Wednesday night supporting an appeals process for termination of paraprofessionals.

The resolution, R43-02, was the primary focus of the senate meeting in Compton Union Building Room 204. Other topics included a senate seat election and an athletics complaint.

R43-02 calls for the Department of Residence Life to reevaluate firing procedures, specifically the termination clause, which has come under fire during the past year.  

Tristan Hanon, former ASWSU executive member and Stimson Hall sponsor, spoke in support of the resolution and to voice his concern about the current way paraprofessionals are treated.

“Being a Sponsor [or Resident Assistant] is an at-will job,” Hanon said. “At any time you can be fired and lose your home and food just for saying something that doesn’t agree with your boss.”

Hanon spoke with vigor and passion during his speech and stressed the importance of the resolution.

“This is an issue that needs to be addressed, and the time is now,” he said.

Jansen M. Vandermeulen, WSU sophomore, said he thinks Hanon’s words had a profound effect on the senate.

“The senators had seen this resolution, but to them it was just an abstract issue,” Vandermeulen said. “I think he made a big impact.”

The senate unanimously passed the resolution after approximately 15 minutes of deliberation. The resolution will be given to the Department of Residence Life to review.

WSU junior Mackenzie M. Weber said he believes the resolution is a step in the right direction.

“There is a lot that [the Department of] Residence Life isn't called out on. Res. Life has a lot of stuff that they need to be held accountable for,” he said. “Everything is behind closed doors.”

The first resolution passed pertained to a space for students who are military veterans. Resolution R43-02 is the second resolution of the year passed by the senate,

Other business in the senate seat representing The Edward R. Murrow College of Communication had been vacant since the beginning of the school year and needed to be filled.

Four candidates from the Murrow College applied for the vacant senate seat and appeared before the existing senate for appointment.

Each candidate gave a short speech and each existing senator had the opportunity to ask questions.

Candidates ranged from sophomore to senior and spanned all emphases’ within the Murrow College.

After a short deliberation, the senate appointed strategic communication major Regina Sologub, a junior, as the new senator.

An unidentified student also told the senate his concern over the plans for WSU athletics to distribute luchador masks to fans at the football game the night of Halloween.

The student said that athletics was mocking a well-established cultural symbol of the Latino community.

The student asked the ASWSU senate for immediate action. No legislation was proposed at the meeting.

The ASWSU senate meets every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. in CUB 204.