This article is the third, and final, of a series that has taken an in-depth look at the intricate situation regarding parking on campus. Further follow up stories may come as the story progresses, but this is the end of the series as originally planned.
ASUW Senators criticize their own Executive Branch and the Board of Trustees for their inability to solve the University of Wyoming’s parking crisis.
Parking has been a critical topic of debate across campus, but only three organizations have the power to change the 2020 Master Plan: ASUW, the City of Laramie, and the Board of Trustees (BOT). At the end of this article are disclaimers about the number of times each of these institutions were contacted.
Of the two ASUW senators who were willing and able to be interviewed, one asked to remain anonymous due to fear of retaliation from other members of ASUW. The Branding Iron has chosen to accept their request.
The second is Senator Brittany Stadler, who is currently serving her second term in the ASUW Legislative Branch, and has served one session in the ASUW Executive Branch. Let it be known that Brittany Stadler was appointed to the Student Media Advisory Board as of Tuesday, Oct. 26.
Both senators expressed sharp opposition to the idea that there is not a parking crisis on campus.
“The parking committee and the ASUW executive branch have come up with absolutely no solutions to the problem,” Anonymous said.
“It’s shocking to me that the ad hoc parking committee, and the executive branch as a whole, have not come up with any feasible solutions for this problem. And it’s something that desperately needs to be done.”
They attributed issues regarding parking primarily to the BOT.
“I think that is the struggle we face as ASUW and the city council: just not being able to be heard by the Board of Trustees,” Stadler said.
“I feel like there’s a big disconnect of the BOT, and the university, and the students especially.”
Both expressed concerns that there is little transparency from the BOT.
“The Board of Trustees need to be a little bit more open on what’s being discussed, and what’s the reasoning behind the items. Because I think if they had justified reasons, it would really help the community understand instead of just feeling frustrated and mad at them.”
Stadler expressed particular criticism of the Board’s consistent use of Executive Council, a meeting that is closed to the public.
“Usually President Brown, at ASUW [Senate meetings], will go up and speak to the entire Senate of what happened with the Board of Trustees. A lot of times you’ll hear, ‘they went into executive session, so I cannot go into much detail about what was discussed on parking,’” Stadler said.
“It seems to be a trend for the three years that I’ve been part of ASUW. I have heard that line way too many times.”
The anonymous senator voiced harsher criticisms, expressing they feel much of the issue falls on the Executive Branch.
“I am deeply frustrated with the current executive branch. I am deeply disappointed. I voted for them in the last election, but they haven’t accomplished nearly as much as I thought they would,” Anonymous said.
“The only action ASUW has taken on parking is learning how to pass the buck. Basically the attitude right now is that the city council blames the Board of Trustees; The Board of Trustees blames the legislature, and ASUW blames whoever the Board of Trustees tells them to blame.”
The anonymous senator expressed the opinion that ASUW has failed to adequately stand up to the BOT.
“Specifically for parking, ASUW needs to do a better job standing up to the Board of Trustees and actually fighting for its constituents. It’s something that we’ve failed at appallingly so far this semester,” Anonymous said.
Both expressed that even if ASUW and the Laramie City Council were to take a more aggressive or vocal stance, the BOT would still refuse to listen.
“I don’t think our opinions are getting heard by the trustees. And I think they’re kind of too strong-willed to listen to other perspectives of who it could affect,” Stadler said.
“A lot of senators have dealt with wondering ‘what is the actual function of as ASUW if we can just be overruled and ignored?’ What’s the point of all the work that we put in? It’s deeply frustrating,” Anonymous said.
Despite difficulties in being heard, both senators pledged to continue fighting for the students of the University of Wyoming, expressing they felt it was their duty as senators.
The Branding Iron contacted the BOT regarding this topic for the first time on Oct. 10, and has reached out multiple times since, but they failed to respond.
The Branding Iron also contacted ASUW President Allison Brown. As of Oct. 12, Brown agreed to meet with the Branding Iron, but then canceled the appointment due to “urgent business related to ASUW budget matters.” Last minute attempts by Brown to make comment for this article series were made Oct. 27.
On Monday, Oct. 24, the Branding Iron attempted to contact every member of the ASUW Senate.
Of the 20 Senators listed on the ASUW webpage, two work for the Branding Iron and were not asked for comment, two responded explaining they did not have anything to add to the story, three were unable to be contacted as their contact information on the webpage was incorrect, and three accepted the opportunity to speak with the Branding Iron.
