Branches of the ASUO
ASUO mimics the state and national government structure in that it has three branches: the executive, the legislative, and the judicial, and it is governed by written policy and judicial rule.
Executive Branch
The ASUO executive branch consists of the student body president, the vice-president, and an executive cabinet comprised of up to 24 appointed student leaders. The executive initiates campaigns to impact the UO student experience; collaborates with faculty, staff, and other key decision-makers; and coordinates the student appointment process for committees which impact the entire student body. Internally, the executive branch approves, oversees, and works alongside the 200+ student organizations recognized by ASUO.
Elections Board
The Elections Board (EB) is comprised of four commissioners and a coordinator who are annually appointed by the ASUO Executive to serve five- to seven-month terms. Their primary purpose is to coordinate the ASUO Election.
This body circulates announcements and decisions related to the ASUO Election via an electronic mailing list or listserv. This list allows ASUO members to receive email communication from the Elections Board as it is circulated.
- To subscribe yourself to this list, send an empty email (no information or text in the subject or body of the email) to asuoelectiondecision-join@lists.uoregon.edu.
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Legislative Branch
The legislative branch consists of a 24-member Student Senate and four finance committees comprised of seven to twelve student members each. Broadly, the legislative branch is responsible for initiating Incidental Fund decisions and allocations, writing resolutions, and confirming or denying presidential appointees.
Student Senate
Student Senate debates policy and financial decisions weekly, on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. in the Dusty Miller Room, EMU 107. All students, faculty, and staff are welcome to attend senate hearings, and time is set aside at each meeting for individuals from these constituencies to address the senate.
Finance Committees
Student Senate has four sub-committees: the Contracts Finance Committee, the Departments Finance Committee, the EMU Board, and the Programs Finance Committee. These committees are most active during ASUO’s annual budgeting process, which typically begins in October and wraps up in January (for the following fiscal year).
The Contracts Finance Committee (CFC) recommends the appropriation of Incidental Fees for contracted service providers. Some of the services included in CFC’s portfolio, include LTD Transit Passes for Students, Student Legal Services, and Child Care Services at Spencer View Housing. For more information please see our Resources page.
The Departments Finance Committee (DFC) recommends the appropriation of Incidental Fees for department-based programs of the university. Currently, 17 department-based programs are funded by DFC, such as Mills International Center, Duck Rides, Student Government Engagement and Success, Student Conflict Resolution Services, the UO Zero Waste Program, and the Women’s Center.
The Programs Finance Committee (PFC) recommends the appropriation of Incidental Funds for ASUO-Recognized Student Organizations. Any ASUO-Recognized Student Organization is eligible to request an annual budget, and PFC meets with each organization annually to discuss their requests and examine their financial performance.
Judicial Branch
The Constitutional Court
Constitution Court consists of five members appointed and confirmed to serve “lifetime” terms for the duration of their time as UO students. The court has the authority to rule on any rule promulgated under it. This review power covers almost any action by ASUO government bodies, programs, and in special cases such as elections, actions by individual students within Student Organizations. The Court has broad powers to impose sanctions in order to compel compliance with its rulings.
This body circulates announcements and decisions related to the issues under their jurisdiction via an electronic mailing list (listserv). This list allows ASUO members to receive email communication from the Constitutional Court as it is circulated.
To subscribe yourself to this list, send an empty email (no information or text in the subject or body of the email) to concourtdecision-join@lists.uoregon.edu.
To unsubscribe yourself from this list, send an empty email (no information or text in the subject or body of the email) to concourtdecision-leave@lists.uoregon.edu.