In case you haven’t noticed, it’s election time here at Portland State. This year’s student government election could be a monumental one, because there’s a proposal on the ballot to adopt a new constitution or amend the current one. The new constitution proposes changes that could greatly affect how the Associated Students of Portland State University operates.
The race for Associated Students of Portland State University president and vice president offers a choice between current ASPSU Sen. Harris Foster and running mate Yesenia Silva-Hernandez and current ASPSU Sen. and student fee committee member James Au and his running mate Jason Phung.
The proposed constitution is such a defective initiative that it’s hard to believe it is actually the work of Ethan Allen Smith—the same Ethan Allen Smith whom the Vanguard endorsed for student body president last year. To say it is fatally flawed seems almost euphemistic; it is just plain fatal, as adopting it would essentially spell the death of effective student government at PSU.
Choosing the right student senators can be daunting when you consider the diverse needs of the student body. Which candidates will work well together? Who has the best interests of students at heart?
Amendment 4 Has one member of the student fee committee appointed by the senate. One of the most frustrating facts of politics is the campaigning: So-and-so is this, has done that, knows this; so-and-so is better, more prepared, more aware. Taking someone at his/her word is the risk we accept when electing anyone to office.
After a heated debate over deadlines and procedural rules on Friday, Portland State’s student government elections almost didn’t happen this week as scheduled.
A group of Portland State students will travel to Salem on Thursday, April 25, to join a larger rally against student debt on the steps of the Oregon Capitol.
New legislation in Salem could have a significant impact on the way universities are run in Oregon. Senate Bill 270 and House Bill 2149 both address the establishment of institutional boards at the state’s public universities. If passed, this legislation would see a board of directors created at both Portland State and the University of Oregon, allowing many decisions to be made at a university level.
The candidates for the Associated Students of Portland State University’s student fee committee gathered Friday to debate in front of a crowd of roughly 20 people. Of the 10 candidates, eight will be elected to serve on the board responsible for allocating $14 million in student fees.
Update, Thursday, April 19 at 4:45 p.m.:
After gathering enough members to meet quorum, the judicial review board voted 2-1 in an emergency meeting to approve the language of the senate’s proposed amendments and allow them to be placed on the ballot. The elections will proceed as planned, with voting starting at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, April 22 and continuing through Friday, May 3.
Amendments proposed by Portland State’s student government Senate will not appear on next week’s ballot, Judicial Review Board Chief Justice Aubrey Hoffman said in an email today. At issue is whether the senate submitted the proposed amendments on time and according to the proper procedure.