Use your voice

Elections for the ASPSU begin May 4. Are you ready? If the answer is no, you are not alone. Many students at PSU are not even aware of the elections, let alone any of the details, such as the candidates or the issues.

Apathy among voters is a universal attitude. However, as the liaisons of the student body to those running the schools, the officers of ASPSU fill an important role. The actions of the Portland State administration very directly affect YOU. Casting your vote sends an important message to the university about what students expect from PSU. Thus, it is imperative to select officers who will best represent the student body and the issues we care about.

With the elected officers of the ASPSU, we reap what we sow. I’ve always thought that only the people who actually cast a vote have a right to complain. If you didn’t like the policies of the previous ASPSU administration, than what better reason to include your vote in the election this year? For as many complaints as there were about the 2008-2009 officers, there is no excuse not to get involved this year.

The recession has affected everyone, and college students are not exempt. As tuition cost rises and budget cuts abound, what are those running this year planning to do for the student population? Having a voice in the financial decisions of the PSU administration is very important during these economically trying times.

Don’t want your major/program or student group cut? Isn’t tuition spiraling out of control? Where are our dollars really going? Send a message to the university system—most students not only want to be informed about these issues, but a key element in the decision-making process involving them.

Student media is an excellent resource in learning about the candidates. Do you know who is running, and for what offices? The student fee committee is adding six new members next year—and if names like James Gent and Elizabeth Anderson aren’t familiar to you, you need to get informed!

Study up on goals of those running. For example, current Senator Brendan Castricano, who is up for re-election, has green in his sights: proposing a small term fee in order to make FlexPasses more affordable. Patricia Binder, another student Senate candidate who is a current member of the Student Fee Committee, is also working on FlexPasses—including a proposal for a universal pass that would make transportation free to PSU students.

Robert Lowe, who is also running for a seat on the Senate, wants to concentrate on reaching out to PSU students, rather than making them feel as if they have to come to him (a complaint that was made about current ASPSU President Hannah Fisher). Each candidate for each position has the same viewpoint on one issue: the importance of voting and making your voice heard.

Last week 17 of the 28 candidates for Senate met to state their goals and convince voters to give them their confidence. Were you there to hear them out?

The bottom line is that these elections are important—as students, any of the decisions made by the Oregon University System are a part of our lives. Shouldn’t we do all we can to exert some control and make our voices heard? Now, stop reading this article and thumb over (or click over) to the news section, read up and make sure to cast your vote!