Colorado Mesa University’s Associated Student Government (ASG) recently made the proposal to donate a minimum of $2,000 to Hilltop’s Latimer House. This decision is linked to The Criterion’s participation in the Men in Heels race, in an effort to raise awareness and support for the victims of domestic violence.
The donation is an unprecedented and first-of-its-kind move by ASG. Beau Flores, the current president of ASG, said, “it is something that can be righteous, and in terms of it being the first time, I’m kind of surprised that it is the first time, you know what I mean?”
When questioned about some of his motivations for championing this proposal, Beau Flores attributed it to a campus-wide stance on domestic violence. “It’s more a response from students.”
Editor in Chief of The Criterion Chris DeLeon is the creator of CMU’s team for the Men in Heels race. DeLeon also sees this donation as being highly significant. “This donation is significant for so much more than the dollar amount,” DeLeon said. “By coming from ASG, it is the students of this university directly standing in support of victims of domestic violence. That is an amazing statement.”
After the bill was first presented to ASG, it moved to consideration by the Fee Allocation Committee (FAC). FAC members cut the donation by $500 during their meeting. The cut was made because the budget the donation will come from is an budget that is no longer funded. While there is currently 28 thousand dollars in the environmental budget, money removed will not be replenished.
After the cut, the bill returned to ASG this last Wednesday. After discussion, ASG voted to amend the bill back to its original donation amount and then passed it with a nearly unanimous vote.
A committee made up of both FAC and ASG members met on Friday to decide the final amount to be donated to Hilltop through The Criterion’s Men in Heels team. After deliberation, Beau Flores signed to confirm the conference committee bill allocating $2,000 for donation.
Students who wish to support Hilltop’s Latimer House can attend the Men in Heels race that will take place on Thursday, Sept. 13 at 5:30 p.m. on Colorado Avenue between 4thand 5thStreet. There is also a box in the Student Life office for students who wish to donate directly, or they can go to https://meninheelsrace.org and select The Criterion/CMU as the team through which to send a donation.
