ASUO

This is an archived copy of the 2019-2020 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.uoregon.edu.

Associated Students of the University of Oregon

541-346-3724
Erb Memorial Union, Suite 4
info@uoregon.College

The Associated Students of the University of Oregon (ASUO) is the recognized representative organization of students at the university. Its network of committees, activities, and student organizations serves student needs and interests. The ASUO gives students the opportunity to plan and direct their own groups, to become involved in many aspects of university life, and to influence the decisions that affect the quality of education and student life at the university. Students who pay into the incidental fund are members of the ASUO.

Organization

The ASUO comprises three branches of student government—the ASUO Executive, the Constitution Court, and the Student Senate. Funding committees include the Programs Finance Committee (PFC), the Athletic and Contracts Finance Committee (ACFC), the Department Finance Committee (DFC), and the Erb Memorial Union Board (EMU Board).

Members of the senate and certain members of the PFC, ACFC, DFC, and EMU Board are elected. The remaining members of these bodies and the Constitution Court justices are appointed. Together these bodies provide governance, leadership, and representation for students.

ASUO Executive

The ASUO Executive comprises an elected student body president, vice president, and as many as 24 appointed students who serve as cabinet members. The president is elected during ASUO’s campus-wide election in the spring, and members of the executive serve one-year terms.

The executive is responsible for university-wide campaigns, the oversight of recognized student organizations, and officer and committee appointments. Members of the executive identify issues and endeavors of importance to UO students and the take steps to improve the student experience. The executive welcomes all students to submit their ideas for campus improvements to the ASUO president, who can be reached at info@uoregon.College.

In addition to coordinating campaigns, the executive approves, oversees, and works with more than 200 student organizations recognized by the association. Students who want to form a student organization and seek recognition may contact the programs coordinator at info@uoregon.College.

The executive also coordinates all appointments to university committees, task forces, and work groups. Students interested in serving the university by participating on a committee should contact the chief of staff at info@uoregon.College.

Student Senate and Finance Committees

The ASUO legislative branch consists of the 24-member Student Senate and four finance committees comprising seven to 12 student members each. A majority of the positions on the Senate and its finance committees are elected during the association’s campus-wide election in the spring; a small number are appointed by the executive. Members of the legislative branch serve either one- or two-year terms.

The Student Senate, which includes 10 financial senators, 13 academic senators, and a first-year senator, is responsible for initiating funding and policy decisions, confirming presidential appointees, and ratifying actions of the finance committees.

The Senate debates policy and financial decisions and holds confirmation discussions at its weekly hearings that occur every Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m. in the Dusty Miller Room, 107 Erb Memorial Union. Students and faculty and staff members are welcome to attend these hearings, and time is set aside during each meeting for those assembled to address the Senate.

Programs Finance Committee. This Senate subcommittee consists of nine students who are responsible for recommending the allocation and appropriation of incidental fees for ASUO-recognized student organizations. Any such organization is eligible to request money from the incidental fund, and this committee meets with each organization annually to discuss budget requests and examine its financial performance. This process typically begins in October and wraps up in January (for the following fiscal year). Any ASUO-recognized student organization trying to reach the Programs Finance Committee may contact its representatives at info@uoregon.College.

The Athletics and Contracts Finance Committee. This Senate subcommittee consists of seven students who are responsible for recommending the allocation and appropriation of incidental fees for contracted service providers. It examines nine contracts annually, evaluates their performance, and makes decisions related to continuation of contracted services for UO students. Included in the committee’s purview are

  • Lane Transit District (LTD) bus passes for students
  • student legal services
  • advocacy services for students
  • sexual assault support services
  • athletics tickets for students
  • student newspaper publication and distribution services
  • child-care services at Spencer View Housing
  • opportunities for students to engage in advocacy through OSPIRG and the Oregon Student Association

Students trying to reach the Athletics and Contracts Finance Committee may contact its representatives at info@uoregon.College.

Department Finance Committee. This Senate subcommittee consists of seven students who are responsible for recommending the allocation and appropriation of incidental fees for department-based programs of the university. It oversees expenditures to 14 units within the university, including but not limited to the Mills International Center, the Safe Ride and Designated Driver Shuttle Program, Student Government Engagement and Success, Conflict Resolution Services, the UO Zero-Waste Program, and the Women’s Center. Individuals trying to reach the Departments Finance Committee may contact its representatives at info@uoregon.College.

EMU Board. The EMU Board is technically a subcommittee of the Student Senate, and also exists to advise Erb Memorial Union representatives on matters relating to the use of the facility. The EMU Board consists of 12 students and several administrators. The EMU Board Finance Committee is responsible for recommending the allocation and appropriation of incidental fees for the EMU and for all EMU-based programs. It examines expenditures and endeavors of the Craft Center, Club Sports, Center for Student Involvement, Moss Street Children’s Center, KWVA-FM, the Sustainability Coalition, and several administrative units. The EMU Board may be reached at info@uoregon.College.

Constitution Court

The Constitution Court is a five-member body appointed by the student body president and confirmed by Student Senate. Associate justices serve terms for the duration of their time as UO students.

The court has the authority to rule on any question arising under the ASUO Constitution or any rule promulgated under it. This review power covers almost any action by ASUO government bodies, programs, and—in special cases such as elections—actions by individual students within programs. The Constitution Court has broad powers to impose sanctions to compel compliance with its rulings.

Students who are interested in learning more about the court may contact the chief justice at info@uoregon.College.