At an Undergraduate Student Government Tempe meeting on Tuesday, a resolution was introduced and approved that advocates for the University to investigate College Republicans United at ASU. The student government also dismissed hearing a resolution about suspending USG-T members under University investigation.
USG-T passed Senate Resolution #4, requesting the University look into whether CRU at ASU violated any rights at their Jan. 31 tabling event, where the group tabled on Hayden Lawn to encourage fellow students to report their classmates to ICE.
The resolution serves as "a USG-founded reaction to what happened," according to Grace Reiter, a senior studying sustainability and a USG-T senator.
CRU at ASU was met with a protest of around 500 people who expressed outrage about the student organization's event.
READ MORE: Hundreds protest CRU at ASU event, in solidarity with immigrants and DACA students
"There's a general value to speech and that freedom, but I also want to emphasize our due diligence as a student body government to protect the rights of all the students with which we represent," Reiter said.
USG-T made a statement last Thursday about its concerns with the tabling put on by CRU at ASU.
READ MORE: Politicians, student organizations condemn CRU at ASU event planned for Friday
The resolution emphasized that "speech in the form of threats" is not allowed under University guidelines, according to the document.
The student government only has the jurisdiction to suggest the University investigate CRU at ASU. The resolution does urge the University to gain insight into which rights may have been violated during the tabling.
USG-T is requesting the University review "policies and procedures regarding student organizations and events that may pose a risk to the safety, well-being, or civil rights of students," according to the resolution.
The resolution was approved, despite some debates from the assembly.
Anthony Fisher, a freshman studying mechanical engineering and an audience member at the meeting, said he was happy the bill passed.
"Personally, I think that we have to do something at least, and so I'm glad that we're taking this action," Fisher said.
USG-T President Mason DoVico, a senior studying political science and business, also addressed potential fears from students after the tabling event on Friday, and he said he will make it his mission to work alongside the University administration to get resources for students who are immigrants.
"It's important that we provide a number of resources, not only that are available through ASU, but through the general government," DoVico said.
The meeting also included a failed movement from members of the assembly to suspend USG-T members under investigation.
Christopher Fernandez, a senior studying media arts and science and a USG-T senator for Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, proposed Senate Bill #63 which, if passed, amends the USG-T bylaws to allow suspension of any member who is currently under University investigation.
This bill was introduced less than two weeks after DoVico's former chief of staff came out with sexual misconduct allegations against him. DoVico responded to the claims on Jan. 28, and he is still under investigation by the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities.
READ MORE: USG-T President DoVico responds to claims of alleged misconduct
Fernandez said the purpose of the bill was to instill trust in USG-T among the University student body.
"I've been hearing a lot of people haven't been really happy with USG, so I was wondering if this could just be more helpful," Fernandez said.
Despite the current climate surrounding DoVico, the assembly voted not to hear the bill through a private ballot, where senators voted anonymously. The bill also did not receive the five required endorsements needed to discuss the bill, nor did it get the votes to be discussed on Tuesday.
Fisher and Ani Gali, a freshman studying computer science and an audience member, both agreed with the assembly's decision to not hear the bill. Both students said DoVico was entitled to a presumption of innocence that the bill would nullify.
"I understand the significance of what's currently happening," Fisher said. "But, that seems scary to me in terms of if someone levies something against you and you have to get dismissed. I feel like it's not appropriate."
Gali also advocated for any member's innocence until a University investigation proves otherwise.
"Especially when it's under investigation, there isn't a clear result yet," Gali said. "I don't think someone should be suspended without having clear guilt."
Edited by George Headley, Sophia Ramirez, Alysa Horton and Katrina Michalak.
Reach the reporters at mhaynie3@asu.edu and ehprest1@asu.edu and follow @madison_haynie and @ellis_reports on X.
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Madison is a sophomore studying mass communication and media studies. This is her first semester with The State Press. She has also worked as a music journalist for 2 years and a photographer for 5 years.
Ellis is a sophomore studying journalism and mass communication. This is her first semester with The State Press. She has also worked at Arizona PBS and Blaze Radio.
