Spring 2023 Election Results

President & Vice President: Casey Dudley & Raquel Valdibieso

Senators: Travis Raney

Student Services & Activities Fee Referendum: 67% in favor

Spring 2023 Ballot

This Spring CWI students will be asked to vote on the ASCWI President & Vice-President ticket, ASCWI Senators, and a Student Fee Referendum. Students who wish to write-in other students will also have the opportunity to nominate them by providing the student's full name and CWI email address. Below is the information for the candidates running in the election and the fee referendum.

ASCWI President & Vice President Ticket

It is with great enthusiasm Casey Dudley and Raquel Valdibieso announce their candidacy for President and Vice President of ASCWI for the 2023-2024 election. This dynamic team will utilize their unique skills and perspectives to enhance the student experience here at CWI and amplify student voices.

Casey Dudley

Dudley is a ­­Philosophy major with a passion for ­­­­leadership and community. As the current President of the Philosophy Club, Dudley has demonstrated his commitment to creating meaningful interactions on campus by organizing events and club meetings that support a diverse and inclusive learning environment. If elected President for the term, Dudley seeks to increase graduation rates by empowering students to become woven in the fabric of community that exists here at CWI. By connecting students to each other and campus life, Dudley hopes to encourage his classmates to make their educational dreams come true.

Raquel Valdibieso

Valdibieso is a Biology major whose interest in medicine is matched only by her desire to see others flourish. Valdibieso has previously served as a Senator for ASCWI and was recently appointed Vice President for the current term. In her role as a Senator, Valdibieso gives voice to students’ concerns and makes strides to pass legislation that is representative of the student body. As a non-traditional, first-generation student, she understands the need to shape one’s college experience to their own unique circumstance. If elected, Valdibieso plans to empower students to utilize the resources that are available on campus to create a college experience that will facilitate their success as well as work to increase awareness of student government and the ways in which this organization can serve the CWI community.

ASCWI Senator Candidates

Travis Raney

"I am a first-generation student and a latecomer to the college life, as I am 47 years old. Born and raised in the Treasure Valley, I have lived in Coeur d’Alene and St. Anthony, which made it the three corners and increased my knowledge of this beautiful state. Backpacking, kayaking, and horseback riding are some of my hobbies as an avid outdoorsman. Throughout my life I have been a ranch hand, carpenter, wildlands firefighter, pile driver on Lake Coeur d’Alene, and a utility at the Amalgamated Sugar factory in Nampa. At the factory, I was involved with Union BCTGM 284G and in the Recommending and Entertainment Committees. Biology/Natural Resources is my major, and I am an active Biology Club member. With the club, I attend biweekly meetings and help organize, plan, and participate in events. The club is always found at CWI’s resource and club fairs, was involved with Trunk or Treat, and partook in the Winter Mixer with the Student Government. Once or twice a month we plan short hikes to observe nature in different environments. Last semester we made bird seed balls to hand out in the winter for people to hang in their trees and help feed our local birds in time of need. We also do volunteer work such as pruning and cleaning the campus gardens, cleaning up the Boise Greenbelt, Project Re-Wild and habitat restoration, and future events with Idaho Fish and Game, the Idaho Conservation League, and the Idaho Chapter of the Wildlife Society."

Referendums

Referendum #01-2022-2023

Authority

In Accordance with Article XII of the ASCWI Constitution, the ASCWI Senate has the authority to refer any measure that it determines to be of substantial student interest to the membership of ASCWI for a vote in the election.

Background

Establishment of a Student Services & Activities Fee to provide services, programs, and activities that are relevant and important to the student body. These activities and events may include sports teams, clubs, concerts, and other events that facilitate students’ interaction and engagement. By providing funding for these activities, a Student Services & Activities Fee helps to create a sense of community among students. Students will be able to participate in activities and events that they are interested in and connect with other students who share similar interests. Additionally, a Student Services & Activities Fee can also help to bring diverse groups of students together, promoting cross-cultural understanding and inclusivity.

Student activities provide a sense of belonging and connection to the College, which can contribute to student satisfaction, retention, and success. These activities and events foster a sense of pride and ownership among students, as they have the opportunity to shape the campus community through their involvement. Overall, a Student Services & Activities Fee plays a critical role in creating a cohesive and vibrant college community where students feel connected and engaged in the campus life and where they can find a sense of belonging.                                 

A Student Services & Activities Fee is a common fee in institutions of higher education, and CWI is the only public college in the area that does not charge such a fee. Student Services & Activities Fee are collected from students for the express purpose of funding nonacademic student activities, events, facilities, equipment, and programming. The determinations of what items and events fees will fund and support shall be directed through a student majority committee, with direct involvement of ASCWI. Students will be provided a way to opt out of the fee through a process that will be facilitated by the College.

Fee Amount

Students enrolled in one (1) or more credit hours at the CWI during each semester will be assessed a $3 per credit fee each semester. This fee is not to exceed $50 per semester, per student. This fee would go into effect beginning Fall 2024.

Fee Usage

Acceptable uses of the Student Services & Activities Fee may include:

• Establishment of activities and programs that may not be covered by tuition or public tax dollars, as determined through student direction
• Establishment of intramural and collegiate-level competitive teams, as determined through student direction
• Establishment of resources that promote student involvement, leadership, and career and personal development, as determined through student direction

An ASCWI committee will be created to: (1) recommend allocation and distribution of the Student Services & Activities Fees for the campus, (2) review and approve the Student Services & Activities Fee annually, and (3) determine if allocation fee expenditures are in accordance with applicable laws and policies.

The committee shall be appointed by the Dean of Students and composed of the following:

• three students, nominated by the ASCWI President
• ASCWI President or designee
• ASCWI Vice-President or designee
• full-time faculty member (non-voting)
• representative from Finance and Administration (non-voting)
• Dean of Students or designee (non-voting)

Students will be provided a way to opt out of the fee through a process that will be facilitated by the College in consultation with the ASCWI President or designee. The College will provide access to the opportunities, activities, and programs that are funded by the fee for students for whom the fee represents an undue financial burden.

Prohibition

Upon approval of this fee, ASCWI will not consider or assess additional student fees, or consider an increase in the Student Services & Activities Fee for a period of three years, until the 2027-2028 academic year to ensure adequate time to study the impact of such fees.

Significant increase or reduction in current levels of institutional financial support for ASCWI or Student Clubs will override this prohibition and allow ASCWI to evaluate the need for a modification to this fee prior to the scheduled elections cycle to ensure operational stability and the continued support of student priorities.   

Fee Increase

The Student Services & Activities Fee may be increased by following the ASCWI Constitution and Bylaws as well as appropriate CWI policies and procedures, subject to the prohibitions above.

Approval

In accordance with Article XII, Section 1.0, the Fee Referendum must be approved by at least 60% of the voters participating in the election to be passed by the General Membership of ASCWI.  Upon approval from the General Membership of CWI, this Fee Referendum must be sent to the President and CWI Board of Trustees for final approval.