ASUA - Bio

Hello,

My name is Shane Cathers, a junior journalism student with a business management minor, here at the home of the Wildcats. I am a fresh face with fresh perspectives here at the UA, and considering that, I will take some additional steps to let everyone know more about me.

The state of Ariz. claims most of my years and will likely claim many more. I was born in Mich., and spent a number of my childhood years in Huntington Beach, CA, and couple in Tipton, IN. If that is not enough moving, I have lived in five cities across the Ariz.. I have probably lived in over 20 homes, and went to four different high schools, graduating in Lake Havasu in 2004.

I played football and wrestled early in high school. I continue to find myself playing a range of sports including tennis, skateboarding, snowboarding, basketball, volleyball, ping pong, and pool.

I have practically lived on my own since I was 16 years old. I supported myself through high school, and most of college. I am very much an entrepreneur, starting “Shane’s Trash Pick-up Service” in our apartments in Calif. when I was 11 years old. I went around everyday and walked my clients, tenants, trash down to the dumpsters to spare them the walk. I had more money than all my friends, and often treated myself to chili cheese fires at the local Wienerschnitzel.

In high school, I started “Reliable Yard Maintenance” that employed me and my friend. In college, I was a full-time student while painting houses on the side to pay for school and my bills. I often ended up managing multiple people on the job, but one 46 year old father was my main-man for over two years. He became a great friend and I learned a lot about race (him being black and grew up in south Phoenix), women, and maintaining a friendship while still being the boss.

Last summer I traveled through western Europe, on a whim, with someone I knew only a couple of weeks from my yoga class. We traveled through London, France, Barcelona, Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands. When I returned, she went to Berkeley, and I took my motorcycle and traveled counter-clockwise in 29 states around the U.S. and Canada. I stayed with family, camped in national parks, and stayed with the great people of the CouchSurfing.com community. I went to explore the culture of America, explore spiritually, and test my ability to adapt and travel into unknown territories. I have never felt so free.

On that trip, I realized that the anxiety of Phoenix was not the life for me and although I was already accepted to the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at ASU, I felt the need to move for a more peaceful life.
I had only been here twice before and for a very brief period, but decided Tucson was the best option for a few reasons. Many people I met had great words for this city and the university. I would also maintain in-state tuition and continue a relationship with, what was becoming and still is, the most intimate and most dear friend in my life.

These days, I live pretty simply. I have a diet of mostly eggs, bread, fruit, vegetables, and pizza from Time Market. I jog and exercise around three times a week and continue to become increasingly connected with the people of Tucson and the community within the University of Arizona.

As student body president, my main goal will be to rally for a referendum to the Ariz. constitution, a long term goal, fixing all levels of public education to a secure budget. Ariz. has it’s priorities confused, and we as students, we as a university, and we as a community have the power to make a difference.

Although the recent budget cuts have many disadvantages, we can take this opportunity to simplify the clutter redundancies, unite the students and hear their voices, and bring the recognition and exposure to clubs, which they deserve.

Here are a few matters of importance...

Funding our Futures
We need to give students the opportunity and tools to fund their education. We need free workshops to teach students how to write grants, where to find grants they may be eligible for, and tips to improve their approval chances. Scholarships also need to be more apparent and tips given to students to increase their odds of funding. We will get creative and help simplify the resources for funding.
Arizona Assurance will be supported as well as the Tuition Set-Aside program. We can look into increasing the tuition set-aside program, only if concluded to be practical.

Clubs and our Community
Clubs on campus are an essential instrument in our community as a university, city, and as a united people for the maintenance and advancement of our standard of living, education, and awareness. Clubs need a centralized online resource with sufficient exposure. Their upcoming events need to be easily known to the students, especially the freshman, so they can become involved in the community, build valuable connections, friendships, as well as offer a positive outlet for self expression.
Clubs need the communication to unite for a cause, the tools to raise funds, and exposure to show their value and the universities value to the community of Tucson.

Freedom of Speech
Students need an outlet to exercise their 1st Amendment rights. This can be done on a centralized online source and also on campus by “free speech bulletin boards,” symbolizing the right for students to exercise their voice.
Additionally, the Lobby Corps. should be promoted for students to voice their thoughts to legislators.

Security
Female students have voiced concerns about better safety at night. I agree. We should look into better lighting options for areas where students are at more risk without creating light pollution, and ideally using solar power for efficiency. In addition, I believe we should also consider more bicycle police on campus.
I want to see an analysis of the most statistically dangerous areas on campus, compared with the best lit areas and blue light systems, concluding with Safe Ways, the safest late-night routes around campus. This will be mapped out for students with the number for Safe Walk and Safe Ride as well as additional safety tips. This map can have additional information about the campus and be placed at the exit of every building that is open late into the night.

Sustainability
We need to continue sustainability, recycle mania, and look into further recycling of batteries and electronic equipment. I will support furthering our alternative energy resources and work to make the university more self sustainable.
I am interested, in light of these budget cuts, whether students would take it upon themselves, for the betterment of the University, to form a club to help better the presence of plants, flowers, and grass if given resources.

Health
Organizations that promote health need to be supported. We are nothing without health, and those organizations that are supplying such a vital resources to students should be given the necessary resources to spread awareness of risks, options, and support.

Transparency
The students' money is essentially funding the ASUA. Students have the right to know where their money is going, how it is spent, and should have the voice to express objections if they are not satisfied.

Voice of the Student
Your thoughts are important. I want students to have the voice and for it to be heard. I am listening, tell me what you think.. scathers22@gmail.com

www.gingerpresident.com

Securing Education in AZ - The basic steps

With he help of friends, students, and political leaders, I have created a basic formula that will equal securing education and changing legislation in Ariz..



Better club and organization exposure in the community = Better University Image
Better University Image = Better Voice in the community
Better voice in the community = Better voice to change legislature

Students voicing and rallying = Better press and media coverage
Better press and media coverage = Better community awareness

again...

Better press and media coverage = Better voice to change legislature

again...

Better press and media coverage = Better ability for those in elected office on the side of education to fight alongside the people and students for a referendum. This is ultimate security for education in Ariz..

I, with the help of many trusted others and students, will continue analyzing the details of this task and strive to create the most thorough, complete, and creative plan to secure education. This is a challenging, but very reachable goal. Together, working as a team, we as students, we as a university, and we as a community can and will make this necessary, and long over-do, change to secure education for our futures.

Meeting with the Mayor

I met with Mayor Robert E. Walkup of Tucson the morning of Friday 20, 2009. I wanted to go over some of the bigger issues facing the city and the university.

First of all, from the brief period in which I spoke to Mayor Walkup, I can understand why the people have chosen him for a third term as mayor. He seems genuine, very likable, and very interested in the progression of the city. Politically, he claims to be a “Republic-dem” which is a comforting thought for someone who wishes not be limited by the political party in which they are affiliated.

“A new 21st century society has a knowledge-based element,” said Walkup.

The Mayor has researched and created his own set of 12 main elements necessary for a successful city, of which education is near the top along with public safety and health care.

He made it clear that he supports education, but to see change the leaders of the university need to team-up and work “shoulder to shoulder” with him. The leaders of the university must rise to the challenge and get the students to speak up, and in large numbers.

The goal would be a referendum to the Ariz. constitution where education like pre-school, K-12, and higher education are not so easily impaired as they are currently.

Again, to make a difference the community and those in political office need to hear the voices of the students. All of the students and leaders of the Ariz. universities need to speak up, and do it on a grand scale.

The Mayor and I will fight for the sake of education, him in the office pushing the legislature for change, and I on the campus showing support for students to gather and speak their opinions. Another one down, more to go.

Clubs and Our Community

Clubs on campus are an essential instrument in our community as a university, city, and as a united people for the maintenance and advancement of our standard of living, education, and awareness. They help bring us closer together and spread vital knowledge of the interests of our community.

Clubs also provide an excellent resource for students, especially new students and freshman, to become part of the community and build valuable connections, friendships, as well as offer a positive outlet for self expression.

It has come to my attention that for clubs to more fully achieve their cause and subsequently expose their welcome to others, whom share a similar passion and wish to unite as a group, and/or offer their individual involvement, they need better centralized tools to help them spread their message.

Fundraising is also a fundamental practice that should be as easy as possible for our clubs. I foresee the easiest access to tables, chairs, tents, and if necessary permit’s allowing for the selling of goods (beverages, baked goods, merchandise, etc.) to support their goals and interests.

As President, I will make it my goal to implement a system that allows for all clubs to better communicate with each other, explore each other’s events, goals, interests, and/or to join forces, if desired. I will also make it easier for students to know about club events and provide easier access to club information.

It will also be important for clubs and the Associated Students of The University of Arizona (ASUA) to work together in understanding each other’s methods of operations and goals as organizations, furthering our relations and providing a solid foundation for smoother operations for both.

Overall, the goal will be to spread community awareness, bringing the community closer together, and create a positive foundation for the future of our community as a whole.

Alright, where do we start Shane?

Let’s start with some details.

I plan to implement a club-based website. This website will act as an online community for clubs and club interests and will likely have certain categories (diversity, sports, public awareness, etc.) of which some clubs may qualify for and be included in multiple categories.

The central focus of this website will be the upcoming events displayed on the events “bulletin board” in blocks, colored, and detailed with a contact link for interested students, logo or name of the club, event name, time, cost (if applicable), location, and any other applicable details that will fit into the space provided. There will be a cumulative event “bulletin board” and also one for each club category. These events may also be available on a traditional weekly or monthly calendar.

This website will be managed by the ASUA and/or an on-campus affiliate and fed by the clubs. Clubs will have the option of to what degree they wish to participation. This website will be included and promoted in all relevant UA handouts, pamphlets, and introductory information for students, especially new students.

Additionally, it will be a continued interest of the ASUA to have an understanding of clubs, their missions, and their practices. A representative from ASUA will attend club meetings or meet with club representatives to exchange knowledge and understanding and also to produce the communication foundations for a more productive relationship between the two parties.

Funding Our Future - Workshops

As most of you are aware, tuition has been raised and it will be harder for many students, especially out-of-state students, to continue their education at the UA. Here is a beginning strategy to help all student who may be in need of further funding for their education.

As President I will implement free grant writing and scholarship workshops welcome to all students, clubs and faculty. In these workshops, students will learn the valuable tools necessary to find, write, and apply for grants that they may be eligible for. At these workshops students will be given educational resources for finding scholarships, and tips to improve chances of receiving a grant or scholarship.

I wish to work together with financial aid and make information about these workshops easily accessible to students. It will be important to also coordinate appropriate scheduled workshop dates with current financial distribution’s to help students who may be short on their current financial aid for school.

The Right to Education

Nobody but the students themselves will be the determining factor of whether education will continue to be their main focus in an increasingly unstable period for this university and the student body.

The powers of the student government are limited to the forces greater than them, but they are not limited to help those whom they are meant to serve, the students. It will be pertinent to implement the tools for knowledge to our student body, and subsequently have the power to resist limitations and accept the challenge of pursuing the only thing we as students, we as people, will forever own apart from our family, friends, our society and our government, which is our individual education.

Our education, and right to be educated as an individual but part of a collective, is and will be the most important goal for short term and long term preservation. We as humans have more strength, power, and dignity over our own lives and our individual paths as long as we continue to strive for knowledge of this world in the days of yesterday, today and tomorrow. It is my personal belief that the path of our country is one in which the agenda of others will continue to, more frequently and to a greater degree, affect our liberties, rights, and power as individuals and as a united people, to defend our natural rights...


“Life, faculties, production—in other words, individuality,
liberty, property—this is man. And in spite of the cunning of art-
ful political leaders, these three gifts from God precede all
human legislation, and are superior to it.”
- Frederic Bastiat, The Law


Respectfully...


“We hold these truths to be self-evident,
that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their
Creator with certain Unalienable Rights, that among these are
Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
- U.S. Declaration of Independence


I believe education is the foundation to a sense of security within our society and the world and a primary need for human advancement. It will be my position as student body President to provide as much knowledge and capability to continue education despite higher costs. I will implement the tools to make educational funding options more apparent and the option for the student as individuals or groups to explore their options for grants, scholarships and loans. By working with the financial aid department, together we can better inform and offer more options to our student body to fund our education and our futures.