Students invited to learn about ASUI opportunities, student involvement
University of Idaho undergraduate students are invited to learn about ASUI and what student government does at ASUI’s Open House from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, in the ASUI office in room 302 located on the third floor of the Idaho Commons.
Tanner Beymer
The open house will showcase ASUI and the Student Involvement Center in its entirety, including ASUI leadership positions and opportunities through the UI Center for Volunteerism and Social Action.
ASUI Vice President Sarah Vetsmany said the open house is beneficial for the student body in two ways. She said it’s an opportunity for students who are interested in joining ASUI to become more familiar with the office, and for students to understand the work and role of ASUI.
“It is an opportunity to see their peers who are the ones bringing them opportunity and events essentially enriching their experience here at the UI,” Vetsmany said. “It is an event where vital ASUI board chairs, directors and members are brought together in a casual setting to speak to students one-on-one.”
Tanner Beymer, ASUI director of policy, said the open house also serves as a platform for ASUI to receive feedback from students — from their opinions on policy issues to their likes and dislikes of attending UI.
Vetsmany said the interactions at the open house allow ASUI to hear directly from students about how ASUI is doing and what can be improved. As ASUI becomes aware of what students want, Beymer said it enables student government to better serve its constituency.
“I’ve had students come to me with questions about ASUI, and I’m able to give them even a short list and they’re like, ‘Wow, there’s really a lot we can do,'” he said.
To encourage students to vote in the upcoming elections, ASUI election coordinators will attend the open house to answer questions. Students interested in running for an ASUI executive position are also able to receive information on the internal ASUI hiring process.
Vetsmany said the open house is a valuable opportunity for prospective student leaders.
“It is an opportunity for students who are interested in applying for executive branch or running for senate to receive insight from a student who is currently in that office,” she said. “The next round of ASUI elections is just around the corner so it’s just the right timing for students to come chat with current senators.”
Beyond student leadership within the ASUI executive branch and senate, students are able to discover other avenues of being a student leader. ASUI also promotes programs such as Green Dot, a sexual assault prevention program, and Vandal Health Education.
Beymer said there will be a variety of people within the Department of Student Involvement and ASUI to answer students’ questions and he encourages students to take advantage of the opportunity.
“Part of the tuition that students pay goes toward funding student involvement,” he said. “In a way, if students are not getting involved or even aware of what ASUI is doing, they aren’t taking full advantage of what they pay for.”
Beymer said the act of engaging with one’s higher education institution is comparable to participating in elections as a voter.
“It’s like being an American citizen,” he said. “If you pay taxes, you should be aware of how lawmakers are spending your money.”
Cara Pantone can be reached at arg-news.uidaho.edu