With the restructure of the Oregon University System looming on the horizon, ASPSU is again addressing an issue that has plagued Portland State’s student government for years: lack of student interest. In order to better reach out to the student body and increase student input during the restructuring process, ASPSU recently hired four new staff members.
Marcus Sis, legislative affairs director
After only his second week in the position, sophomore Marcus Sis has enthusiastically taken up the mantle of the legislative affairs director, a position that acts as a working liaison between the university and Oregon Legislature.
Born and raised in Juneau, Alaska, Sis is a self-described “political nut,” and has worked extensively on political campaigns in his home state.
“I wanted to do something more issue-based,” Sis said. “I want to do something that benefits students.”
Despite being the youngest of the four newest executive staff members hired, Sis is well versed in his position. Already, Sis has appealed to the Student Senate for support on the Day of Action, an event organized to generate discourse regarding the upcoming restructure of OUS.
Sis is currently studying economics at PSU.
Laken Harrel, university affairs director
Like Sis, Laken Harrel is no stranger to the inner workings of student government. Harrel, the former intern for ASPSU President Katie Markey, recently stepped into the position of university affairs director. The job is very similar to that of the legislative affairs director, but with a focus on local outreach rather than at a state level.
The primary duty of the university affairs director is making sure that there is student representation in all-university committees, the advising committee and the campus security committee.
“Essentially, anything that requires funding or decides the fate of students is required to have students sitting on the committee,” she said.
Harrel said that her first priority in her new position is coordinating students to sit on each of these committees. All senators are obligated to sit on a committee, though many are not fulfilling this responsibility, according to Harrel.
Beyond her duty of organizing student involvement in committees, Harrel has been working on the PSU food pantry. This initiative would allow needy students 100 percent free access to donated food.
Brandon Harris, communications director
Filling the role of communications director, Brandon Harris is the front man of student outreach for ASPSU. As a recent graduate of Western Oregon University, Harris is only in his second term of post-baccalaureate work here at PSU, but is excited to engage the student body.
“The message I want to send is that our power comes through the students,” Harris said.
According to Harris, ASPSU is always looking for methods to promote student contribution in decision-making. This, he said, is the true genesis of his position.
“A lot of students don’t think they can get involved,” he said. “But we would love it if a student walked in here and said, ‘what can I do to help?'”
Rachel Richardson, outreach coordinator
Though the position is only days old, Rachel Richardson has recently taken up the responsibilities of outreach coordinator. Richardson is responsible for maintaining ASPSU’s website.
“Were not fixing the website; we’re totally reinventing it,” she said.
The position, which closely mirrors that of the communications director, has a more specific focus on communication through mass media. Once the ASPSU website is up-to-date, it will fall on Richardson to update the page.
Richardson will also be responsible for reaching out to students through social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter. ?