Taking a look back

After a grueling year as chair of the Student Fee Committee, Aimeera Flint says she now recognizes just how much she has learned about the ups and downs of leadership and the workings of student government.

“I have learned a lot about myself, others, politics, advocacy, policy and PSU’s administration,” said Flint, who stepped down from her position last month.

“The most important thing that I have learned is that to serve your constituents, you must have different experiences and perspectives at the table; and there is a huge need for that here at Portland State,” she added.

During her time as chair, Flint focused on helping provide more support for student-athletes and making improvements within Smith Memorial Student Union management, the group that oversees vendors and general building use.

The SFC increased the athletics budget to provide another advisor for student athletes, a service that was lacking, Flint said.

“They were funded at two and only had one advisor for 300 athletes, so we gave additional money for that advisor,” Flint said.

Along with an extra advisor, the SFC initiated various training programs for coaches and athletes in topics ranging from diversity training to professional development.

Flint also promoted measures to improve accountability and transparency from the SMSU management. They put together conflict resolution meetings attended by staff members and an open forum so the student population could better understand how the SMSU management operates. 

After spending the year reviewing requests and making changes such as those for athletes, the last stretch was to get the budget approved by the university president.

“After President Wiewel passed the final SFC ’09–’10 budget, I knew that I would be leaving shortly after. I felt like I left at the time when the hard, stressful and rough part was over,” Flint said.

Flint said that she wanted to spend the rest of the term on her five remaining classes as she prepares to graduate this summer.

Flint was proud with what she accomplished and took a moment to reflect on some things she wished she had done while still on the job.

“Not take things personal. Breathe and exhale. Be professional and stress the importance of it to the committee,” Flint said.

That reflection led her to some advice for the future SFC Chair Johnnie Ozimkowski and the other SFC neophytes before they take over in the fall.

“Just to know that this role comes with an adversarial stance. People will not like you just because of your title. As long as you do your best, you will do great,” Flint said.

After graduating, she plans to work on her master’s degree in Black Studies and educational leadership. She eventually wants to attend law school but plans to wait until her 5-year-old son is a little older.

“I just got to make sure that I’m there for him at the time when he needs me the most,” Flint said.

Despite the challenge of balancing school, work and family, Flint said she found a way to manage it all.

In her perspective, “coming from the bottom” has made her “humble, thankful and appreciative of life.”

“I think it was a blessing in disguise. Because I came from a place where I didn’t think I was better than anybody else,” Flint said.

Her past is the driving force behind her advocacy, fight for social justice and hope to start a revolution, she said.