The Associated Students of the University of Oregon is your student government. Elected every spring by the student body at large, the ASUO controls the incidental fee (essentially your student tax dollars) that brings students a number of services throughout the year. Ride the bus with just the flash of your ID? There it is. Football tickets? You know it. Student Rec Center? Absolutely. Not to mention a host of culture and activity nights, student unions and services to promote the physical or cultural development of students. Most on-campus extracurriculars that you can participate in are at least partially funded by the fee.
But student government is about much more than simply the allocation of your money, and the ASUO doesn’t look much like the student council you had in high school. The ASUO is the greater voice for students and leads campaigns on and off campus in support of issues that affect students. In the past, the ASUO has helped push the Eugene City Council to adopt housing standards to protect everyone in the city who rents a house or apartment. Last year, the ASUO helped register more than 30,000 new student voters in Oregon, including more than 7,500 new voters on our campus alone. This year, we will work for a new meal point system for students in the residence halls, collaborate with the Career Center and local businesses to create more internship and job opportunities for students in the Eugene-Springfield area, and take a tough look at the growth of the incidental fee itself.
The incidental fee provides a number of amazing services and benefits to students. Without it, the college experience becomes devoid of most leadership opportunities, intramurals, clubs and events. Students would lose much of their organized voice on and off campus without the fee, as well as the opportunity to participate in the thousands of events and activities that are made available each year and enrich the college experience.
This fall, the ASUO in collaboration with programs and departments will continue the tradition of Weaving New Beginnings, a reception dedicated to incoming students and faculty of color as well as allies. The event serves to create a stronger community for all on campus. The Street Faire will take place as usual, bringing rare and creative vendors to campus and providing new students an early taste of Eugene.
Most importantly, as the representative body for students on campus, the ASUO is responsive to you. We work on issues that affect students at the campus, city, state and federal levels. As students, our power resides in our numbers, and our numbers start with you. The ASUO is a great way to get involved on campus through volunteering, staff positions and internships for credit on projects and campaigns of your interest. Our office is in the breezeway of the EMU, and we need your help.

Adam Walsh is the 2005-06 ASUO president.