With the power to help allocate about $5.2 million of student fee money and the ability to participate in the final vote for roughly $5 million more, students elected to ASUO Student Senate Seats 1 and 3 fill multiple significant roles.

Both positions sit on the Programs Finance Committee, the seven-member committee that approves groups’ missions and goals, determines how much money groups receive each year and sets pay rates for student leaders.
Students elected to these seats are also members of the 18-person Senate, which approves groups’ special requests for funding with surplus funds.
This year, the Senate started the term with about $52,000 in surplus funds. Next year, the Senate will also have control over an additional $38,000 refunded by Lane Transit District because of this month’s countywide bus driver strike.
The Senate sets funding limits for each of the three major programs, determining how much the Athletic Department Finance Committee, the EMU Board of Directors and the PFC can spend. It also has the final say over the three major programs’ budgets, although Seats 1 and 3 are not allowed to vote on the final PFC budget.

Senators are also responsible for representing students in all matters relating to personnel services, University housing, campus design and University budgeting, according to the ASUO Constitution.
Current senators have addressed how to keep the Knight Library open 24/7 during Dead Week and Finals Week. They also worked on a resolution prohibiting University athletic teams from playing teams with indigenous mascots.
Finance senators must hold two office hours per week and attend 10 PFC program hearings, three EMU board budget hearings and one Athletic Department Finance Committee meeting.
Transcripts of candidate interviews can be found in the “Candidate transcripts” section.

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