Though I normally hate even the idea of numbers, indulge me in a little arithmetic. What is, say, 2,624 divided by 5,010? (.52) How about 5,010 divided by 23,389? (.21) OK, last one: 2,624 divided by 23,389? (.11)
It might be obvious already, but these numbers aren’t made up. Out of the student population of 23,389 (taken from fall admissions information), 5,010 students voted in the ASUO executive elections and of that 21 percent, Ben and Katie’s 52 percent margin of victory (2,624/5,010) represents only 11 percent of University students.
Low voter turnout plagues governments of all magnitudes, so the ASUO is not unique in this situation.
The ASUO’s response has historically been to either blame students for being ignorant and therefore apathetic, or it attempts to “educate” students about the ASUO and other important issues. Unfortunately, however, the ASUO goes about this “education” by flat-out harassing students during election season (I use the word harass because I don’t really know what else to call it when campaigners trespass in the residence halls. If you have a word that you would use if someone broke into your home and knocked on your bedroom door, feel free to supply it here).
ASUO representatives also come speak in classrooms and at large, significant University events, and instead of encouraging you to get informed and exercise your vote, they tell you to oppose the “privatization of UO” and to oppose “an armed police force.” This isn’t hearsay, either; I’m talking specifically about ASUO President Amelie Rousseau, who made remarks at University Convocation that still deeply embarrass me as a student, and who came to my history class a week ago to say nearly the exact same thing.
I don’t want to sound intolerant of Rousseau’s opinions, because I’m not. I just find it strange that I don’t think I’ve ever heard her use the phrase “get educated.” Normally, that’s what you do before you vote, not after.
But I digress. The assumption behind these “voter education” tactics is no different than the one behind blaming students for their apathy: The ASUO people are smart, enlightened and “get it,” and everyone else is stupid, lazy or both.
As an alternative thought, maybe the reason some people don’t participate is that they find the ASUO unappealing.
University senior Angela Stelson is a political science major who has worked to organize canvassing for the Democratic National Convention in Portland. When I asked why she never got involved with the ASUO, she said: “I don’t even define the ASUO as political. There is no power in the ASUO, and there is nothing substantive to believe in.”
Recent University political science graduate Boris Bourget tried to get involved, but despite his internship with the Obama campaign to increase student involvement in his hometown of Elko, Nev., he was stood up at informational meetings, and his application for ASUO internships was repeatedly lost. After that, Bourget said he realized “there were better ways to connect with students and promote civic engagement.”
Sophomore Sara Marcotte-Levy used to work for the ASUO, but has since moved on. “I didn’t feel like my voice was heard,” she said. Marcotte-Levy acknowledged additional motives for leaving, too, especially her desire to focus on academics and a new job on campus. Even so, the decision wasn’t easy.
“I felt as though I should feel guilty for not working for the party line instead of not working for the students,” she said.
The ASUO is our student government, like it or not. And it has a budget of about $12.5 million to spend, which comes from our student fees. I don’t advocate apathy, but if the ASUO is truly going to represent students, then more than 5,010 people need to vote for our student president. And instead of blaming students for not caring, maybe the ASUO should consider the views of informed, engaged students like Stelson, Bourget and Marcotte-Levy.
Right now, the ASUO represents 11 percent of the student population, and the only people who don’t seem to get that are the ASUO.
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Terhune: ASUO outreach fails to reach target
Daily Emerald
April 10, 2011
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