ASU Undergraduate Student Government: Empowering Students Across Campuses
Arizona State University (ASU) is a public research university with multiple campuses across the Phoenix metropolitan area and learning centers throughout Arizona. Founded in 1885 as the Territorial Normal School, ASU has grown into one of the largest public universities in the United States. A key component of the university's structure is the Undergraduate Student Government (USG), which plays a vital role in representing and advocating for the diverse student body.
The Role of the Arizona Board of Regents
The Arizona Board of Regents (ABOR) governs Arizona State University, along with the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University. Composed of 12 members, including the state governor and superintendent of public instruction as ex-officio members, eight volunteer Regents appointed by the governor, and two student regents, ABOR provides policy guidance to the state universities of Arizona. The president of ASU, appointed by the Arizona Board of Regents, acts as the institution's chief executive officer and budget officer.
ASU's Unique "One University in Many Places" Model
ASU distinguishes itself with its "one university in many places" model, comprising several campuses that share students, faculty, staff, and accreditation. This structure includes the Tempe campus, the West Valley campus in Glendale, the Downtown Phoenix campus, and the Polytechnic campus in Mesa. Each campus maintains a distinct academic focus, contributing to the overall university mission.
Campus Focuses
Tempe Campus: The university's research and graduate school center, offering research-based programs that prepare students for graduate school, professional school, or employment.
Polytechnic Campus: Emphasizes professional and technological programs designed for direct workforce preparation, featuring simulators and laboratories dedicated to project-based learning.
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West Valley Campus: Focuses on interdisciplinary degrees and the liberal arts, while maintaining professional programs with a direct impact on the community and society.
Downtown Phoenix Campus: Concentrates on urban and public programs such as nursing, public policy, criminal justice, mass communication, journalism, and law, as well as the Thunderbird School of Global Management.
Addressing Student Concerns: A Unified Voice
For students not deeply involved in Undergraduate Student Government, navigating its complexities can be daunting. Low turnout in recent elections highlights the need for a more streamlined and effective system. Previously, with four undergraduate presidents, each with two vice presidents and their own senates, action on issues like tuition increases required navigating multiple meetings and resolutions across all campuses.
The Need for a Single Voice
The ASU Faculty Senate, with one senate for the entire university, provides a model for simpler partnerships with other universities. While maintaining student governments on each campus offers advantages, a more unified approach is necessary.
A More Effective Model
One approach could involve maintaining the executive boards and vice presidents who oversee local community problems while streamlining the senate caucus meetings. Instead of holding separate meetings at each campus, caucus meetings should bring together members of subgroups within the full group to discuss and debate issues. This would expedite student concerns to the forefront of the entire student body, regardless of campus.
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Taking Collective Action
Under a more unified model, the USG could collectively address issues such as sexual assault on campus, mental health, and tuition. The current model can be seen as chaotic, sporadic, and ineffective in providing students with a proper voice.
USG Funding Guidelines and Restrictions
The USG operates under specific funding guidelines, with certain expenses strictly prohibited. These include:
Prepayments: Payments for goods and services before they are received, generally prohibited by state statute.
"Gifts," "Prizes," "Giveaways": Instead, "Participation Incentives" or "Tokens of Appreciation" should be used.
Expenses for academic projects: Including presentations or events surrounding a project, for which students will earn class credit.
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Bottled water: Unless the Director of Facilities Services determines in writing that no drinking fountain is reasonably close and the cost of installing one is prohibitive.
ASU cannot pay for these items, even if they have been approved to be funded by USG.
Recent Developments and Constitution
Associated Students of Arizona State University (ASASU) released a new constitution documenting position responsibilities within Graduate Student Government and Undergraduate Student Government. If passed, the ASASU constitution would supersede the GSG constitution. The rights and responsibilities outlined for students within this constitution are similar to those in the current USG constitution, without restricting anyone's right to be who they are.
Student Concerns: Barrett, The Honors College Fee Increase
In March, a bill was proposed to the USG in an attempt to stop a proposed fee increase at Barrett, The Honors College. The honors college started holding meetings to discuss increasing the college’s semester fee, but student reaction has been largely negative. Students expressed concerns about the financial strain of the increase, especially considering that the downtown campus may have fewer accommodations for Barrett students compared to the regular students.
tags: #ASU #Undergraduate #Student #Government #explained
