Being involved with ASUI is more than a resume boost. It’s a chance for students to get involved with every part of the university, learn responsibility and help others.
Students and faculty who wanted to know more about ASUI were able to at the open house Sept. 28 in the ASUI office.
“Having an open house is a chance for students and faculty to take a tour of the ASUI office and see what we actually do,” said Hannah Blankenship, director of communications for ASUI. “Most students don’t understand how much of an influence ASUI has and how involved we are in every area of the university.”
The ASUI office is on the third floor of the Idaho Commons above Einstein Bros. Bagels and open to students any time. It includes a common area with a TV, couches and tables, an area that clubs can reserve to work on projects and offices used by various ASUI officers and advisers.
“We offer students the opportunity to hear what’s going on in our office, communicate any concerns they have and give us feedback on what we can improve on as a student body,” Blankenship said.
ASUI positions vary from executive — the president and vice president — to legislative, like senators. They provide programs such as Vandal Entertainment, Vandal Fitness Challenge, student clubs and more, Senator Hannah Davis said.
“One of our main goals is really striving to build communication between ASUI and the students,” Davis said. “I think that we are underutilized as a student body and could do much more if students were better informed about our services.”
Senators have five office hours every week that include finishing projects, looking at bills and helping around the office, Davis said. They also give informational ASUI reports to their assigned living groups throughout campus.
“Right now in ASUI, we are working on the Vandal Acts of Kindness project, which involves us giving out awards to students for being kind around campus,” Davis said. “We are also preparing for the university-wide food drive and encouraging people to donate.”
Juan Corona, ASUI vice president, said the open house maintained steady traffic and he appreciated the support from faculty and staff.
It’s good for students to see how their university student body is run, Corona said. The ASUI office is open to anyone at anytime. ASUI officers also hold weekly meetings at 7 p.m. Wednesdays, Corona said, if anyone wants to know more about what is happening.
“This is the second year that we have done the open house. It had better attendance this year, because the word is still getting out to students,” Corona said. “Everyone who attended was able to see how ASUI is run, and what kind of resourses that we offer.”