ASUO is the Associated Students of the University of Oregon; the group provides different types of development for its members to fulfill interests within the University of Oregon. (Molly McPherson/Emerald)
Will the Associated Students of the University of Oregon be able to work efficiently and effectively in the next year?
ASUO has many challenges ahead, including internal compromises, spending a surplus of funds and low student engagement. Therefore, ASUO’s success now rests upon transparency with its initiatives and informing the student body about how its budget is allocated. Not only is it up to ASUO, but the student body must be engaged and equipped to hold their representatives accountable.
The challenges deterring their success are plenty. The newly elected ASUO has before them an annual budget of $17 million. However, there is an irregularity as the underspending of the previous student government body has also produced an unexpected surplus of $1.5 million. More attention must be brought to ASUO’s actions moving forward. The fact that this money was not touched should be enough to cause discourse about what the excess funds will be used for in the 2024-25 school year.
Surely, going under budget is safer than exceeding it. However, the fact remains that it needs to be spent well. ASUO will have the daunting task of spending this money in accordance with its campaign promises while actively listening to the student body for new ideas. Optimistically, I look upon an eager new group of representatives who will hopefully utilize this money to accomplish their goals.
However, I remain skeptical due to the uniqueness of this recent election for multiple reasons. Our new government contains two main groups, OurUO and UO Student Power (UOSP). And, based on the contentious spring election with multiple grievances filed, it’s appropriate to be wary of how much the election atmosphere may create divisiveness within the ASUO Senate.
The two groups’ differences in fundamental values and policy priorities are also potentially even more influential than any “bad blood” between members. UOSP intends to prioritize healthcare, cultural organization autonomy, housing affordability, and support labor unions. OurUO’s priorities are food accessibility, representative culture, parking and a student-led festival. To ensure at least some of their electoral campaign promises are kept, compromise will be necessary.
Additionally, if students’ views about ASUO are similar to the U.S. Presidential job approval, it’s likely that following the recent election, our feelings toward ASUO will decline. Gallup’s Presidential Job Approval Center compiled data from Truman to Biden to track how adults felt about a president’s job performance.
Their results concluded that approval ratings are often highest around election and inauguration time, and a shaky gradual decline is a statistical inevitability for American presidents. This drop in job performance approval by the end of a term is predictable. Our student body should anticipate the same for ASUO but be prepared to combat it. There’s an initial “honeymoon” period, but if compromise overpowers gridlock and ASUO remains transparent and publicizes its spending, then support may rise from an engaged student body.
This $1.5 million surplus should be the driving factor for increased student involvement in the upcoming fall quarter. We’ve got money to spend next year, so let’s do it right. It will take more than just our representatives. Involvement with our leaders is only half the battle. It’s a mutual and necessary relationship. The student body must show as much interest and enthusiasm for the allocation of the ASUO budget as the ASUO does in publicizing where this money is going.
So, the question remains; will ASUO be able to work efficiently and effectively in the next year? All governments face particular obstacles, and ASUO is not immune. Although the ASUO budget may seem small in comparison to our national governments, its potential is great on the university scale.
While I realize the U.S. president and our ASUO student government are not complete mirrors of one another, it’s evident that time and time again our elected officials fall short of their aspirations and the hope electorates have for them. It is fair to remain realistic about the new ASUO and its abilities, as skepticism toward government and presidential job performance is not uncommon.
But if we, the student body and UO community want a year with notable change, we must ensure our engagement with ASUO rises. ASUO has its responsibilities, and our community has ours. An election does not eliminate our students from continued collaboration. Openness will be key to holding our representatives accountable through their budgeting and spending processes.
Let’s all remember, $1.5 million is on the line.
