Being a member of the University of Idaho community is more than simply wearing the silver and gold, attending events and supporting our teams.
For students, a major responsibility that must not be overlooked is participating in UI’s student government and its upcoming election from Nov. 16 – Nov. 18.
ASUI is an elected body whose responsibility is to be representatives for students and their interests on our campus by interacting with university administration.
The biggest question students ask is often “What even is ASUI, and what is going on?” This is where the biggest issue lies: a lack of information and engagement.
ASUI is made up of three branches: the Executive Branch, the Judicial Branch and the Legislative Branch.
The upcoming election will fill five senate seats of the ASUI Senate, or the Legislative Branch. Six other senators, the ASUI president and ASUI vice president will be voted on in Spring 2021.
Yes, these elections are happening, and yes, you need to care, be informed and cast your vote.
ASUI is here to represent you, the students, and provide the resources and materials to make the most of your time as Vandals.
Projects like the giveaway of menstrual cups for UI students and a campaign for Men’s Mental Health Week help improve the quality of life on campus.
More information on ASUI and contacting them is available on Engage UIdaho, where students can see upcoming events and communicate with ASUI.
If students are concerned about other issues, the Senate meets every Wednesday at 6 p.m., currently via Zoom due to COV I D -19.
The lack of understanding does not fall entirely on the student body. The issue goes both ways.
On ASUI’s UI web page, the weekly senate meetings are advertised with a message of “Link to join coming soon!” even though the meetings have been ongoing the entirety of the semester with a working Zoom link.
Many UI students are unaware of the meetings’ existence or Engage, as well as their ability to communicate with their student body government.
The entirety of the blame cannot fall on students. Some fault must be handed to those who are responsible for getting the information out where it’s needed.
With the frequency of ASUI’s elections, the impact they have on campus and the responsibility ASUI holds, more needs to be done to keep students informed.
As is the case with classes or with every successful advertisement, messages must be continually repeated because, after enough times listening, students will remember.
And students, do not ignore ASUI. They are your representatives to UI’s administration. Lauren Carlsen, the current ASUI president, meets regularly with President C. Scott Green about how to improve your on-campus experience.
But ASUI representatives, you must be a consistent voice, making your intentions clear to students and ensuring they know how they can be involved through sending emails, posting on social media and making resources regularly available.
The biggest question for an election should never be “Wait, there’s an election?” It should be “Who should I vote for?”
Ballots for the upcoming ASUI election will be emailed to students’ UI email accounts at 8 a.m. Nov. 16. Students can cast their votes online in just a few minutes. The deadline for ballots is by Nov. 18 at 5 p.m.
– Editorial Board