UI students shouldn’t waste time on ASUI ballots

In my four years here at the University of Idaho, I have not once voted in an ASUI election.

I know it’s important to vote, even in the smallest elections, but it’s also important to choose one’s voting battles.

In the past, student government officials have tried to sell ASUI as a hugely important part of student life on campus.

Current ASUI President Nate Fisher wrote in the fall 2014 Argonaut elections guide, “While student elections are not necessarily the same scale as state and national elections, they certainly have significance and value to the student population.”

Fisher said ASUI serves as the most direct link between students and the university’s administration.

Despite their best efforts, the turnout in these elections has traditionally been low. It’s clear the UI student body couldn’t care less about ASUI — and who can blame them?

ASUI does a poor job of connecting to students, and it’s not always clear how they serve the student body or how much power they actually possess.

The senate passes resolutions stating their support of a change to the tobacco policy on campus, but then they pass bills focused mostly on minute ASUI dealings — like the transfer of $250 out of the senate budget to fund Waffle Wednesdays, adjusting the ASUI dress code so senators can display their “Halloween spirit” or allocating $500 to fund an ASUI Senate retreat. Is this how they represent UI’s student body?

It seems like an unimportant organization with a narrow focus. In my experience, ASUI has little to offer students outside those running for student offices.

According to ASUI, “ASUI is important because it takes the collection of suggestions and opinions from the student body and uses them to create events, programs and legislation that improve the undergraduate experience.”

This is cute and all, but I’d rather improve the experience on my own, thank you. If this means no more Waffle Wednesdays or Finals Fest entertainment, I’ll risk it.

I’m not trying to label ASUI as unnecessary. In attempting to represent the undergraduate population, the student government has a legitimate reason to exist.

It’s still a student organization and, to be honest, it’s difficult to take any student organization too seriously — even The Argonaut. We like to think of student government and the school newspaper as having great authority and power in the grand scheme of university life.

But really, these organizations are self-serving and have a small effect on university life.

ASUI appears to possess some power, but it’s difficult to say they’re integral in maintaining the student voice on campus or functions of the university. Their existence only seems to be integral unto itself, making the few participating students feel like they have a unified voice.

If they want more student involvement, ASUI student officials need to make a better case for the organization. Perhaps it might help if officials started taking stands on actual issues instead of repeating the need for student involvement and engagement. Otherwise, as exemplified by Wednesday’s open forum, everyone involved sounds the same.

It might also be beneficial if they’d acknowledge the university isn’t the beginning and end for every student on campus. Life doesn’t center around UI, but listening to ASUI, you would think it does.

I haven’t voted in ASUI elections since I first stepped on campus, and I won’t in my last semester here. If you wish to vote, go for it. At most, you’ll help build someone’s résumé.

Andrew Jenson can be reached at arg-opinion@uidaho.edu