ASUM seeks new senators, supports Amtrak resolution

by Jayme Fraser | February 4, 2010 | Montana Kaimin

With no hesitation, the ASUM Senate passed a resolution advocating for Amtrak to revive a passenger rail route from Chicago to Seattle that would pass through Missoula.

In mid-October, Amtrak released a study detailing the possible restoration of the North Coast Hiawatha route that would pass through much of Montana.

ASUM Sen. Patrick Rhea said ASUM Transportation has been working with other student governments to build support for the proposal since reviewing the report.

“Tomorrow, ASMSU (Montana State University’s student government) is going to pass a resolution that is very similar,” Rhea said. “This is something we’ve been working on closely so that we send a strong message that this rail service is something Montana students want.”

ASUM President Matt Fennell noted that last year’s student senate also passed a resolution seeking the reestablishment of a passenger route.

At an earlier committee meeting, Rhea noted the advantages such a route would bring.

“We think it’s a good way for students to save money and reduce their carbon footprint,” Rhea said. “It sets our city up for a lot of economic influx.”

Rhea also noted that the more Montana students who used the service to reach campus each semester, the more it would help relieve on-campus traffic and parking congestion.
ASUM Sen. John Wilke said it could bring needed support and industry to Eastern Montana as well.

In other business, two more senate seats were vacated this week, leaving a total of four open positions. Applications for the student senate positions are available in the ASUM office on the first floor of the UC and are due Friday. ASUM is seeking student applicants for the position of Student Political Action Director, as well.

The student senate is also asking student groups to prepare for formal lobbying during the upcoming budgeting session this month. ASUM Business Manager Jake Armstrong suggested that anyone with questions about the process speak with him in the ASUM office.

When the senate finished business around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Charles Couture, dean of students, commented on the meeting’s unusual brevity.

“In all my 16 years in attending every ASUM meeting, this is the shortest meeting I’ve ever attended,” Couture said. “You didn’t even allow me time to finish my latte.”

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