VANGUARD EDITORIAL: Fixing your student government

The Vanguard would like to congratulate Adam Rahmlow and Pearce Whitehead for their successful campaign for president and vice president of ASPSU, and we look forward to their coming term. We would also like to acknowledge every candidate who ran this year, all of whom put forth a great effort in their campaigns. Each candidate offered desirable qualities and it is refreshing to see a broad range of interest in our student government.

 The ASPSU election season at Portland State can highlight the negative aspects of our student government. Each year brings hope that a new administration will contribute solutions to fix the ailments plaguing our student political system.

 Now that the election has run its course and a new administration gears up to take charge, it would be wise to understand the problems facing ASPSU—problems inherent in our student government that have prevented significant work to be completed in the past.

 Election are a good place to start. Optimizing the elections process would not only aid in student involvement but also encourage the best candidates to run.

Student elections occur in a minuscule time frame that offers an inadequate campaigning period. This in turn denies students sufficient time and resources to cast an informed vote. It is no wonder why voting at PSU draws such few numbers. Although 1,400 students voted in this year’s elections—double last year’s turnout—they are still a small percentage of the 28,000 students

that attend PSU. The election season needs to be expanded to reflect a realistic and reasonable time frame for candidates to run, and for students to become aware that elections are even happening.

 Campaigning is inherently difficult to navigate. Candidates must tiptoe around unclear—and in many cases ridiculous—rules and regulations that draw attention away from the issues at hand. This impedes an already too short and arduous process.

 It has become common in past campaigns to find charges brought forth against candidates. As such, campaigns engage in as much bickering and fighting over charges as they do getting the word out and vying for votes.

In most cases, such charges bear a sense of absurdity. Last year, candidates Jil Heimensen and running mate Johnnie Ozimkowski were disqualified from running because of two rather insignificant charges, leaving current ASPSU President Katie Markey uncontested. It is too easy to tear down a campaign over meaningless charges and illogical regulations.

This year saw similar activity: Rahmlow and Whitehead were charged with several infractions, including using chalk on “a vertical surface” and campaigning outside of the small designated campaigning time period. The accusations could be said to be frivolous though justified—but it is the various election regulations themselves that are in fact frivolous.

 It is time for an elections tune-up. ASPSU needs to go through the elections procedure step-by-step, regulation-by-regulation, and reform it to a simpler and more accessible process.

 The problems plaguing ASPSU extend beyond the elections and include the Student Senate and its lack of effectiveness. As a senator—a paid position—one should be educated on the laws they were elected to uphold. A common complaint is that senators do not adequately know ASPSU’s constitution, and it is therefore vital that senators are educated on the constitution and what is expected of them. This could be accomplished by requiring each senator to pass a test that gauges their knowledge of the constitution and the operations of the Senate, or by holding regular tutorials. Students need to be assured that the senators they elect are fully prepared for their job.

 ASPSU also needs to be more visible. Greater communication needs to be established between students and their government. Senators should be actively engaging their constituents and the student body at large.

However, the best remedy for ASPSU’s problems is an engaged student body. Becoming involved in student government helps ensure a successful education—ignoring it only makes it harder.

Virginia Vickery Editor-in-Chief Corie Charnley News Editor Nicholas Kula Arts & Culture Editor Richard Oxley Opinion Editor Kevin Fong Sports Editor Noah Emmet Chief Copy Editor