ASPSU’s executive staff recently refilled two positions, although an additional position is yet to be filled. Staffers are encouraging students who want to be involved, to become active now.
Former ASPSU Vice President Azadeh Chitsaz resigned to take care of an ill relative, according to Chitsaz’s resignation letter. Former ASPSU Communications Director Christian Aniciete also resigned for personal reasons.
Laura Morency is the new communications director. Morency was previously involved as a legislative intern.
ASPSU President Jonathan Sanford has appointed former ASPSU Administrative Director Ed Hallman as the new vice president. Hallman has been involved with ASPSU for the last two years, starting as a student senator.
ASPSU is currently hiring for a new administrative director. Hallman encourages students to apply for his former position, or become involved in ASPSU in other ways, including through student groups.
Hallman explained that as vice president, he has taken on a larger responsibility in representing the interests of the student body to the Student Senate. He is confident that the infrastructure is in place to end the year strong, including helping to finalize the Student Fee Committee’s budget and helping candidates during ASPSU’s upcoming elections.
Hallman said the Senate is “finishing housekeeping stuff” to be completed by the end of winter term. However, in the spring term, Hallman said, “[ASPSU is] going to regroup and decide what we’re doing this year, and make the end of the year strong.”
In regards to the elections, the current executive staff will aim to make themselves “visible and valuable to the candidates face-to-face…to help the transition go smoothly.”
Hallman said he will graduate at the end of this school year with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in philosophy. He is looking forward to his two final classes, scuba diving and an epistemology course in philosophy.
“My involvement at ASPSU contributed to at least half [of] what [I’m] taking from college,” Hallman said, referring to his added “experience, knowledge, and wisdom.”
Hallman said that he almost did not run for the Student Senate initially, which was the first position he held in ASPSU. He was hesitant about turning in his application.
“But I did it, and I can’t imagine how different life would be for me if I hadn’t,” he said. “It’s the best thing I did in my life.”
“It gave me direction, a voice, skills, and has been hugely valuable,” Hallman said.
Students can visit the ASPSU office in SMSU, room 117, for more information on getting involved or running for office. Applications for the administrative director position are available in the office, and at www.aspsu.pdx.edu soon.