by Rocio Hernandez

Senators unanimously oppose The Education Initiative

Associated Students of the University of Nevada senators discussed senate resolution 82-98 in opposition to the Nevada State Ballot Question Number 3 on Wednesday, Oct. 22. The ballot question, also known as The Education Initiative, proposes a 2 percent tax on the total revenue of Nevada business grossing an excess of $1 million. If approved, the money raised from the tax will go to funding for public K-12 schools.
Sen. Velsabet Mojica of the College of the Division of Health Science, who submitted the resolution, said that her research found that the tax would not hinder business from coming to the state.
However, she was informed by Mi Familia Vota and the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, nonprofits in favor the ballot question, that there is no state law in place that specifies what the money will be used for. Sens. Ryan Hood, Nicholas Andrew and Quinn Jonas agreed that this was part of the reason they opposed The Education Initiative. All 19 senators present at the meeting voted to oppose The Education Initiative.

ASUN appoints Alejandro Pacheco to judicial council

ASUN President Jake Pereira and Chief Justice Jonathan Barnes presented junior Alejandro Pacheco, their candidate for ASUN’s judicial council, at the senate meeting. The judicial council is responsible for reviewing senate cases and is composed of the chief justice and four associate justices. Pereira and Barnes recommended Pacheco to the council due to his levelheadedness and analytical thinking. Both Pereira and Barnes said they believe that he could be an asset to the council. Barnes also asked the senate for its support in this nomination because the council needs to be full in order to be able to perform its duties. Pacheco was approved to be a part of the judicial council by an unanimous vote and as a result, the judicial council is now full.

Senator reports: personal initiative of senator

Sen. Ryan Hood
College of Agriculture, Biotechnology, and Natural Resources

Sen. Hood spoke with Provost Kevin Carman about making faculty evaluations available to all students. Hood gathered from the conversation that Carman supports the idea but is still hesitant about its feasibility. Carman will present Hood’s proposal to the faculty senate after a resolution is written. Hood hopes to have it done within a month and a half.

Sens. Owen Stewart and Catie McCrillis College of Engineering and College of Science

Sens. Stewart and McCrillis are working to bring the national It’s on Us campaign to the University of Nevada, Reno. The campaign asks people from around the nation to stand against sexual assault and commit to being a part of finding a solution to the issue. Stewart said that he hopes to have the campaign event on campus by the spring semester.

Rocio Hernandez can be reached at rhernandez@sagebrush.unr.edu and on Twitter @rociohdz19.