Student Government held their semesterly joint meeting with the City Council on Tuesday and primarily discussed ways to get students more involved, from recycling for students off campus to increasing ways for students to communicate needs.
The topics discussed include downtown engagement, sustainability with the Climate Action Plan (CAP) and increasing student involvement in Ames boards and commissions.
The conversation started with Campustown, with Ward 4 Rep. Rachel Junck seeking feedback about future developments or businesses in the area, particularly considering the relocation of Welch Ave. Fire Station.
“We don’t own the land, we aren’t developers, but there are things that we can do to try to encourage and ensure that there are things that are there that students will want to take advantage of as well as the remainder of the community,” At-Large Representative Anita Rollins said.
Vice Speaker Josie Pursley, a senior in political science, raised concerns about the lack of a grocery store since the closure of the CVS on Lincoln Way.
“I know that as a student, I have felt the loss of the CVS and I know a lot of other students have felt the loss of the CVS,” Pursley said. “It used to be my pharmacy, I had to switch to a completely different area, and I also used to get my groceries there. It’s a lot more difficult for students who dont have access to downtown Ames to get to the Target or the Walmart or the Hy-vee to be able to access groceries.”
Along the lines of downtown engagements, students and councilmembers shared ideas, including the idea of bringing festivals downtown and to Campustown and the lack of parking downtown.
“I want to see parking being hard to find, that’s a sign of commerce and activity,” Ward 2 Rep. Tim Gartin said. “But at some point, if you can’t find a place to park, you might say, ‘Well, I’m just not going to go there.’ There is a free city lot on the south side of downtown.”
Regarding sustainability, senate members voiced their desire for more access to recycling, particularly for a recycling center closer to campus for students who don’t have a car.
Mayor John Haila said that sustainability and inclusion efforts depend on community member’s actions.
“We can’t look to institutions to solve problems. We can ask them to try and set policy and take the lead, but unless each one of us are really seeking to make others feel welcome and we really want to respect, that’s where we’re really going to be successful. The same thing with sustainability, we can set policy and try and provide opportunity for that.”
Haila also reaffirmed the city of Ames’ commitment to DEI.
“Cities and counties are soon to be under the same pressure universities are regarding DEI,” Haila said. “I think that it is the reality right now in the statehouse, but I know that we are still committed to the principles that are embedded with that.”
Senate measure approved
The Senate unanimously approved $17,550 to fund an updated office space for Student Government’s Administrative Assistant Amy Shaw. The plan is to add furniture and office cubical walls.
“As much as big price tags can be scary, I think it’s important for us to acknowledge the work that Amy does,” Speaker Alexandra Momaney, a senior in global resource relations, said. “We are able, as an organization, to work more effectively.”
The Senate will begin its overview of annual allocations at the Senate meeting on April 2.
