ASUI President Max Cowan isn”t so concerned with how he will be remembered after he graduates.
“I”m more concerned about are we doing what”s best for the students right here right now,” Cowan said.
Last semester Cowan entered his second non-consecutive year as president after spending the previous year as ASUI senate adjutant. Though he spent a year away from the position, Cowan said the day-to-day responsibilities haven”t changed much.
Alex Brizee | Argonaut
ASUI President Max Cowan addresses to the ASUI senate Dec. 9 on an open textbook program.
Yet, some things are different. Cowan said ASUI seems better-received by the administration than it was his first year as president.
“We”re getting to a place where we truly have a seat at the table,” Cowan said. “And I think that”s been a long time coming.”
Cowan said he and ASUI Vice President Stetson Holman have made a point to listen to the opinions of students on a variety of topics they care about. Valuing of student feedback is something he said he hopes to leave behind for future generations to continue.
“That”s what I would hope we leave behind, is the ability for ASUI to relate to every student and for every student to understand that ASUI is here to support them,” Cowan said.
Holman also said he hopes to successfully redistrict ASUI senate based on colleges instead of living groups. Since the core of what ASUI does is connecting with the academic side of the university, Cowan said this model of representation is important to many members of ASUI.
Cowan said there are also multiple things in the works this semester to maintain the cost of higher education. He said ASUI representatives want to further educate students on where the money they spend on tuition and fees is going, and an initiative for open textbooks in introductory level courses will likely progress in senate this semester.
Both Cowan and Holman will graduate in May, but Holman said he hopes to stay at the university in the future as a law student.
“I”ll be applying to continue my life as a Vandal,” Holman said.
Cowan said he has also applied for law schools, but is looking at several career opportunities. He said he is considering political work in Washington D.C., marketing and public relations opportunities and is even looking at a potential career in graphic design.
Cowan said while he isn”t sure where he”ll end up, he is excited for his final semester at UI and is eager to figure out his future following graduation.
“I”m not certain and I don”t think I”ll be certain until I”m doing it,” Cowan said.
Erin Bamer can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @ErinBamer