The Associated Students of the University of Oregon is the student-run government of which every incidental fee-paying student is already a member. Those who want to know or help decide where the $191 per-student per-term incidental fees will be allocated or would like help lead the student body in a new political, social, environmental or other direction, now is the time.
The same way citizens participate in the allocation of their taxes for roads, education and public safety by voicing their opinions at public meetings, voting in city and state elections, and joining various activism efforts, students can contribute to the future environment of the University by getting involved in the decision-making processes. Unlike the real world, becoming a senator, finance committee member or even president does not require being 35 years old with a doctorate from Yale.
On the contrary, the only technical credentials are to have completed eight credit hours. This applies whether one is sitting in the presidential seat, on the student senate or working within one of the many student-led committees.
The power of three
The non-profit ASUO student government is broken down into three branches: the ASUO Executive, Student Senate and Constitution Court. These three branches along with several committees help govern, lead and represent students and the University.
The Executive “is the recognized voice of University of Oregon students” according to the Green Tape Notebook, the reference manual of current rules and procedures for the ASUO. President Adam Walsh, the “official spokesperson for students as a whole,” Vice President Kyla Coy and approximately 15 other Executive staff members work together to govern more than 130 fee-funded programs receiving more than $5.2 million in student fees. Finance Coordinator Nicholas Hudson will work with the Programs Finance Committee and Student Senate on the allocation of more than $10.25 million in student incidental fees to ASUO programs, the EMU and the Athletic Department.
The Constitution Court is composed of five members, elected by the president, who oversee with “supreme and final authority” all questions of ASUO Constitution interpretation and rules contained within it, according to the Green Tape Notebook. The five “Con Court” members – two must be second- or third-year law students – are confirmed by Student Senate after being appointed and are allowed to serve as long as they remain at least part-time students at the University.
The Student Senate is an 18-member body responsible for “allocation and appropriation of incidental fees” while representing “the collective and constituent interests of students.” The Senate allocates these fees, collected from each student, through the annual budget process and special requests.
For the benefit of the entire student body, all meetings, unless otherwise specified, are free and open to public. The Green Tape Notebook declares that “all meetings of incidental fee committees and subcommittees thereof shall be conducted in accordance with Oregon Public Meetings Law,” which states that meetings must be announced 24 hours in advance and are open to all Oregon residents.
What are incidental fees?
Authorized by the Oregon Legislature, incidental fees provide for the “cultural and physical development” of University students, according to the Clark Document in the Green Tape Notebook. The Clark Document states that students have a vested interest in “participation and determination of the level and allocation of the fee,” so authority over allocation is given to student government.
Last year, each of the 20,339 students at this University paid $184.61 per term in incidental fees to fund extracurricular activities available for all enrolled students. The incidental fee for the 2005-06 Fiscal Year will jump 3.5 percent to $191.14 per student per term from the previous year because this year there are more groups available to students.
A total of 133 student groups are fully or partially funded by this mandatory fee. Campus recycling, the Assault Prevention Shuttle, the student recreation center, Amnesty International, OSPIRG and many other student groups and services are paid for at least in part by these fees. Student fees are put to work when students ride the bus to school for free with their University ID cards, get free tickets to a home football game or pick up a free copy of the four available news media on campus.
Getting involved
The University mission statement affirms its devotion to “equal-opportunity, affirmative action … cultural diversity and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.” Upholding and expanding these mandates is the responsibility of the student government.
ASUO internships are available to help students become familiar with campaigns, events and the wide range of issues circulating the campus.
“Your firsthand experience includes volunteering, planning, and getting to know the brilliant people who serve this campus and this community,” the ASUO Web site states.
Students receive credit in Planning Public Policy & Management through ASUO internships and “they help you know where you’d like to get involved,” Walsh said.
“It’s a great way to get involved early before running for office, and it gives you a complete understanding of student government,” he added.
For more information, contact the ASUO at 346-3724 or visit Suite 4 on the bottom floor of the EMU.

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