Government Relations Council seek freshmen recruits

By Sawyer Hemsley

JCOM 1130/Section 2

Utah State University’s Government Council will be hosting a lecture with Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes on Wednesday. Reyes is an undercover agent in Operation Underground Railroad—an organization that rescues children trapped in sex trafficking.

The council is concentrating their efforts on recruiting incoming freshmen at the event to increase member size and form a bigger council for the coming year.

Ashley Waddoups, the 2015 Student Advocate and council chair, voiced her concern about the dwindling number of freshmen that currently participate on the council and said “freshmen would be as important as any other member on the GRC.”

Waddoups believes that this event will allow freshmen to gain a better understanding of the council and raise awareness of leadership and networking opportunities.  

“I do not plan to withhold any leadership roles from freshmen just because they are not as experienced as some of their peers,” Waddoups said. “I think that freshmen offer new ideas and the clarity of an outsider’s perspective and I am really looking forward to having that.”

The GRC is the branch of Utah State University’s Student Association that deals with political involvement and student lobbying. Throughout the year the GRC host speakers, debates between USUSA candidates, and attend the state capitol multiple times a year to represent USU.

Nadir Tekarli, lobbying co-chair of the council, said he would enjoy seeing freshmen take the opportunity to meet and listen to Reyes.

“Freshmen involvement is incredibly important," Tekarli said. "It is a great opportunity for them to meet more people and help strengthen the council. The students will effectively learn how to represent themselves by getting more politically involved within their communities.”    

The GRC has goals to bring powerful speakers that will bring new insight and knowledge relating to political issues to participating members in the coming year. They also are determined that hosting this event with Attorney General Reyes will build excitement among interested freshmen.

“I want freshmen involved because I want them to have the opportunities I did. If student can find a love for involvement their first year, they will be that much more ahead and have a great chance to leave a legacy for the university,” Waddoups said.  

GRC applications are due on April 16^th and are now available in room 326. Students may also find the application at http://www.usu.edu/ususua.