The polls for the Associated Students of Portland State University election opened on April 13. Polls close April 23.
Elections are scheduled to be announced at 2 p.m. on April 28 at Simon Benson House. PSU students will vote to elect a student body president, vice president, senators and student fee committee members. The ballot also includes a student vote on proposed ASPSU constitutional changes. Voters will find the ballot at aspsu.pdx.edu.
What is ASPSU?
Role of ASPSU
ASPSU was established in 1946, as a student-run governing body at the university. According to ASPSU’s website, their goals are to:
• “Advocate for and represent the interest of students before internal and external bodies.
• Facilitate formal needs of communication and interaction between students, student organizations faculty and University administration.
• Identify and develop services not offered by other divisions of the University.
• Provide a process for students to fully participate in the allocation of student incidental fees.”
Who is ASPSU?
Aspsu consists of an executive cabinet, including the president and vice president and eleven appointed director positions. The senate contains 16 members who serve on subcommittees. The Student Fee Commitee consists of 8 members who allocate student fee funds.
The ASPSU website provides descriptions of each of the positions included in the upcoming election. They are as follows:
Role of the President
“The President’s role is that of the executive leader. They serve to make sure that ASPSU maintains retention and strong internal correspondence while working on projects they might have as their personal goals. They create the goals that the entire ASPSU student government shall act upon and support…The President’s role is broadly any action which supports the students of [PSU] as a legislatively mandated student organization whose purpose is to provide a formal means of communication between students, student organizations, faculty and the University administration; to advocate for students and provide for student representation on University committees; to provide programs and services not otherwise offered; and to provide a process for students to participate fully in the allocation of student fees.”
Role of Vice President
“The Vice President’s role is to make sure that ASPSU maintains retention and strong internal correspondence while working on projects they might have as their personal goals…The Vice President’s role is any action which supports the students of [PSU] as a legislatively mandated student organization whose purpose is to provide a formal means of communication between students, student organizations, faculty and the University administration; to advocate for students and provide for student representation on University committees; to provide programs and services not otherwise offered; and to provide a process for students to participate fully in the allocation of student fees.”
Role of the Senator
“The senate position consists of [16 members]…Senators advocate and represent the interests of the student body at large in senate meetings, trainings, action and event planning, as well as impacting the proposal of the student fee allocation through oversight over the final proposals. The senate represents the members devoted to creating a strong, effective and efficient student government and without their work the ability of ASPSU to function would be severely compromised. Senators are also required to participate in two committees and the actions, events and trainings they create.”
Role of SFC Member
SFC members serve as representatives on the SFC and the Senate. They are responsible for allocating the student fee budget each fiscal year. Representatives also serve as representatives to the university administration and meet quarterly with designated student fee funded groups.
Meeting of the minds: Candidates debate student and campus issues.
Last week, from April 7–9, candidates in the ASPSU election participated in executive, senate and SFC debates in Smith Memorial Student Union’s Parkway North.
