Every full time student at the University of Idaho is a member of the Associated Students of the University of Idaho, because of the student fees they pay that comprise the organization’s budget.The members of the executive branch of ASUI meet weekly to discuss the ways that budget is used and ways that student life is can be improved by their actions.
Run much like a state or national government ASUI is comprised of several branches including a senate and an executive branch.
Colleen Quinn, director of student involvement, advises Max Cowan, ASUI president, and his vice-president, Taylor Williams, and the executive branch of ASUI. Quinn meets with Cowan and Williams frequently, but she also has a lot of drop-in meetings with members of ASUI, including the senate. She said she frequently meets with senators when they are starting new projects.
Quinn said there are more than 200 student organizations at UI that are recognized by ASUI. She said what is generally thought of as the ASUI office is actually space for other organizations too.
Understanding ASUI
ASUI is made up an executive and legislative branch. The executive branch includes Cowan and Williams, and their cabinet is made up of directors who oversee specific issues such as diversity affairs. There are also 10 executive boards.
Samantha Hansen is entering her second year as the director of diversity affairs for ASUI, and said she believes this will be to her advantage because she already has a network built up and does not have to go through a transition period like a new officer would.
Hansen said her position fulfills ASUI’s mission statement to serve students best interests and enrich their experiences. She said she serves as an advocate for the interests of all students because she believes individuality is diverse.
Williams said her job involves overseeing the legislative branch, ASUI Senate, and undertaking projects that will benefit students. She said her likely first projects will concern student financial aid and parking.
Williams, an ASUI veteran, said she is getting into the swing of things in her new position. She says it differs from the other positions she’s held, one as student coordinator for graphic design for student involvement, and the head of the Vandal Entertainment Board. She said she oversees the senate, but has not previously served as a senator, and she believes this gives her a new perspective on how to go about senate business.
The senate is made up of 15 senators. Elections are staggered so there is never a senate without experienced senators.
Cowan said the transition from the previous administration is going well. All of the executive board director and cabinet positions were filled in the spring so they could transition into their new positions over the summer. He said board members are being hired this semester, with the exception of Vandal Entertainment which completed hiring in the spring. Vandal Entertainment board is responsible for events such as the Palousafest concert and Finals Fest in the spring. Cowan said the board members will be hired within the next two weeks, and that applications will be online at uidaho.edu/asui. The applications are available as of yesterday, and Cowan said new freshmen are welcome to apply.
“First year students are welcome to apply for board chair positions. The wonderful thing about ASUI is that we are student run and we want students to be involved,” Cowan said. “You don’t necessarily have to have experience it is more about your work ethic and your ability to show that you have new ideas.”
Andrew Deskins can be reached at [email protected]