Newly elected ASUO Senate President Matthew Miyamoto@@http://www.uoregon.edu/findpeople/person/matthew%2Amiyamoto@@ sat down with the Emerald to discuss the challenges of the position. The sophomore, who has previously served as the summer Senate president, speaks about his goals for this year’s Senate, how he wants to rebuild the ASUO image and the unique perspective he brings to the job.
It has been said that you rose fairly quickly to the position of ASUO Senate president. Why would you say that is?
I attended all the student Senate meetings last year, even though I wasn’t part of the body, so I got a solid acclamation to the body despite not being on it. I had the perspective of someone coming before the Senate, while getting a feel for how it operates as well.
What did you get out of that experience that is valuable to you as Senate president?
Sometimes people forget the reason why they’re doing something. And for the ASUO, everything should be done for the benefit of the student body. When sitting in on the meetings, I was coming from the perspective of students coming to the meeting, so [I saw] some of the inefficiencies of ASUO that someone on the body wouldn’t.
What are your plans and goals as the Senate President this year?
Building a cohesive Senate environment. [I’d like to] focus on a lot of outreach, and rebuilding the ASUO image. … There was a lot of turmoil last year. It was a very political environment. When it comes to a student government, I don’t think politics should be much of an influence.
What are your ideas for rebuilding the image of the ASUO?
Genuine conversations among students and ASUO personnel, along with a nonpartisan visage of the Senate president that will hopefully be reflected among the body.
What is the biggest challenge for the Senate this year?
Ensuring all Senators are able and willing to put in the time to get the things we want to accomplish actually accomplished. … Since it’s a new body of Senators, we all have brilliant ideas and ambitions.
It sounds like a big part of your job is uniting the Senate body. Is this an easy thing to do?
It’s not necessarily easy, but it’s certainly something I am passionate about doing.
What would you say your biggest strength is as the Senate president?
Dedication and passion are my strongest attributes, and basically the only skill that’s gotten me this far.