By enrolling at the University and paying the tuition, all students become members of the Associated Students of the University of Oregon (ASUO). The ASUO serves as the student body’s representative government. Tickets to University sporting events, student groups, Lane Transit District bus passes and student publications such as the Emerald are a few of more than 120 programs partially funded by the ASUO.
The ASUO comprises three main bodies: The ASUO Executive administers campus programs, the Student Senate represents students and allocates incidental fees and the ASUO Constitution Court serves as the court of appeals.
“The scope of student government would surprise people,” Slade Leeson, an ASUO spokesman, said. “It’s the real thing… not the popular kids putting the prom on. This is serious business.”
The ASUO Green Tape Notebook, referred to as its constitution, states that the ASUO 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 outside the University.”
Students working for students, “The ASUO is the body that represents students, both to the administration and the world,” said Leeson.
“It oversees the incidental fees… in total a $10 million budget. We essentially determine how it’s used.”
Incidental fees are included in each student’s tuition; in 2004-05 they cost $184.61 per term.
Student government elections take place annually, usually around the start of spring term, and last year’s voter turnout hovered around 18 percent, Leeson said.
In addition to managing the budget for student programs and activities, the ASUO represents students on and off campus, fighting for housing standards in Eugene, energy conservation on campus, and affordable tuition, Leeson said.
The ASUO encourages students to get involved.
“If you want to come in [to the office] and say ‘Hi, I’m an interested student’ – we’re happy to see you,” Leeson said.
Students involved with the ASUO come from a variety of backgrounds, but many start out as interns.
“As an intern, you become familiar with current campus campaigns, events, and issues,” the ASUO’s Web site states. “Firsthand experience includes volunteering, planning and getting to know the people who serve this campus and community.”
ASUO President Jared Axelrod started as an intern himself. Axelrod, who worked his way to the top by the end of his sophomore year, said, “We do a little bit of everything.”
But, he added, “We need help. We can’t do it alone.”
Reducing teacher-to-student ratios and pushing to tie fees attached to certain classes back into tuition are some of the issues Axelrod said the ASUO wants to address in the coming year.
The ASUO works with students according to their needs, Leeson said. Student groups lobby the ASUO on relevant issues, and
individual students can visit the ASUO office, or contact them by phone or e-mail about any issue they have concerns about; the ASUO office is located in Suite 4 at the EMU, their phone
number is (541) 346-3724, and e-mails can be sent to [email protected].