Just because most University students seldom leave the comfort of campus neighborhoods doesn’t mean they’re not affected by the politics of Eugene as a whole.
When it comes to city politics, the University is located right in the middle of Ward 3, which is represented by Eugene City Councilor Alan Zelenka.
This might not seem important as you are unpacking your bags and getting to know your roommates, but the truth is that it should be important.
A University graduate and 20-year resident of Eugene, Zelenka represents all of the people living in Ward 3, including its large student population.
In the past, the voters of Eugene have been able to vote on issues such as tax raises and road work projects that impact the student population as well as the other citizens of Eugene.
Zelenka’s mission statement focuses on three things: protecting the environment and promoting sustainability; neighborhood preservation and creation; and fair and open city government.
Open and fair government will “listen to its citizens, put people’s interests above special interests, and get things done,” Zelenka said. Getting things done can be done by voting during the elections, attending city council meetings, meeting with city officials, being involved with a political party or being part of a special interest group.
The University offers a variety of ways students can be involved. The most direct way for students to get involved with broad political issues is through joining such student groups as the College Democrats or College Republicans.
“We want students to have a presence,” said Kate Nix, former College Democrats vice president.
That presence is also desired by the College Republicans, who urge voters to go out and vote at each election.
As a student, you can register to vote in local elections by registering to vote in Oregon and fill out a voter registration card with your Eugene address.
There are also more specific student groups to take part in, including the Climate Justice League and the Oregon Student Public Interest Research Group.
Being active can also be done at a larger scale by attending state Senate or House meetings, which take place in the State Capitol in Salem.
Members of the ASUO, the University’s student government, occasionally attends these meetings when they apply directly to students. Student government exists to “provide for the social, cultural, educational and physical development of its members, and for the advancement of their individual and collective interests both within and without the University.”
The ASUO is completely student-run; the students are elected into office by their peers and work on campus-, city-, state- and federal-level campaigns.
As a student of the University, you are paying an incidental fee, which goes toward funding the student government.
The offices for the ASUO are downstairs in the EMU. Elected officials can be found there if you have any questions, comments or concerns regarding the University or the way students are represented.
To make sure your voice is heard by the councilor and other members of the Eugene city council, you can always go to city council meetings. They are held the second and fourth Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers on 777 Pearl Street.