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When I was a freshman, I was like a majority of students at the University of Arizona. I knew that we had a student government, read about the Associated Students of the University of Arizona (ASUA) in the paper, but I really had no clue what student gove rnment did. When the student elections for the eleven executive and legislative positions occurred in March, I took the bookmark fliers, read about the issues, and voted. Okay, so I just wanted the "I Voted" sticker, but that was my first interaction wit h ASUA.
My lack of knowledge was unfortunate, given the wealth of programs, services, organizations, and opportunities that ASUA offers every student. I got involved with ASUA first as director of the appropriations board, and this year I was elected as a Senato r. I discovered that ASUA is organized in to three branches; legislative, executive, and judicial. It is much like the United States government in that respect and ASUA, like the national government, strives to keep the powers separate.
The legislative branch is composed of the Undergraduate Senate, College Advisory Council, and Elections Commission. The Undergraduate Senate, consisting of eight students elected at-large and the chair of the College Advisory Council, addresses issues aff ecting students, both individually and as a group. The judicial branch, the ASUA Supreme Court, consists of law students and serves to settle disputes and write opinions on constitutional and bylaw issues.
The executive branch consists of the president, vice-president of clubs and organizations (C&O), vice-president of programs and services (P&S),treasurer, and the presidential chief of staff. The president of ASUA, as an advocate for the students, has dut ies similar to the CEO of a corporation. The president also has a cabinet which includes lobbying, campus policy, and public relations groups. The vice-president of P&S oversees 13 programs and services including Spring Fling, Escort Service, and Speakers ' Board. The vice-president of C&O is responsible for funding all 300 clubs and organizations officially recognized on this campus. The treasurer is responsible for the management of all ASUA funds.
With this brief description of ASUA's structure and function, you might be asking yourself how to get involved. You can read small parts about ASUA in the newspaper or wait until the March elections to think about student government, but why wait when the re are so many enriching and interesting experiences to be had. In the past month, ASUA has already taken a strong stand on the Instructional Integrated Facility (IIF) building, provided a forum for club recruitment, and registered students to vote.
It all sounds so exciting and you do not want to wait until tomorrow or next week. You want to be involved TODAY. Although most of the appointed positions have been filled, there are many other positions which remain open for eager, enthusiastic students to fill. For students who are newly interested in student government, the position of Senate Aide is excellent because it allows the students to get experience in ASUA and work on a project of their interest. Students interested in joining ASUA-sponsored clubs and organizations or helping with programs and services like the Escort Service should look to ASUA.
Aside from the fact that campus involvement looks great on a resume, it is empowering to know that your individual actions can affect students all over campus or affect university policy. This is already a great year for ASUA and you can still be a part o f it. All interested students should come to the ASUA front desk, located directly above the bookstore, or call 621-ASUA for more information.
Lauren C. Sliger is a molecular and cellular biology and economics senior . She is an ASUA Senator.
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