Associated Students of the University of Washington

The Associated Students of the University of Washington logo

The Associated Students of the University of Washington (ASUW) is one of two Student Governments on campus at the University of Washington, the other being the Graduate and Professional Student Senate. It is funded and supported by student fees, and provides services that directly and indirectly benefit them.

More information can be found at http://wiki.asuw.org

The ASUW was incorporated in the State of Washington on April 20, 1906 . On April 30th, 1932 the ASUW assisted in the incorporation of the University Bookstore which has been in continuous operation at the same location on University Way for over 70 years.

Governance

Board of Directors

The Board is the executive body of the association. The president, vice president, and six at-large members of the Board of Directors are elected at the end of each academic year for the following year.^{[citation needed]} The other members of the ASUW Board of Directors are the Graduate and Professional Student Senate Secretary, the Student Senate Vice-Chair, the Personnel Director and the Finance & Budget Director.

The ASUW President for 2011-2012 is Conor McLean of Vancouver, WA.

Student Senate

The ASUW Student Senate comprises students from campus organizations, living groups, and the ASUW diversity commissions.^{[citation needed]} Every week they gather to discuss issues important to students at the University of Washington and establish resolutions of student opinion.^{[citation needed]} These resolutions help guide the Board of Directors, faculty & staff, and student volunteers representing the ASUW on Shared Governance Committees.^{[citation needed]} All students are welcome to submit legislation for the Senate to debate, but only Senators may vote.^{[citation needed]}

Student Programs

Diversity

ASUW provides funding for programming and advocates on behalf of issues affecting groups that have faced historical or social discrimination through its Commissions. There are currently eight different commissions that host events relating to educational goals. For instance, the La Raza Commission focuses primarily on promoting awareness and advocacy for the Latino/Chicano community, and the Black Student Union focuses primarily on promoting awareness and advocacy for the African American/African community. Every Commission is run by a Director, and the Joint Commissions Committee is a committee for these organizations to coordinate efforts for various combined causes and activities, and is chaired by the Director of Diversity Efforts, a member of the ASUW Board of Directors.

Experimental College

The ASUW Experimental College is the largest not-for-profit student-run program of its kind.^{[citation needed]} The college, part of the ASUW, was created in 1968 by several University of Washington students seeking to provide the campus and surrounding community with a selection of classes not offered on the university curriculum. They publish over 100,000 catalogs a quarter and offer over 200 courses located at the University, the University District, and other locations within Seattle.^{[citation needed]}

Other Officers and Activities

ASUW has an Office of Governmental Relations, which coordinates students with their representation in local, state and federal government, as well as lobbies on behalf of the UW student population.^{[citation needed]} The Legislative Steering Committee (LSC) determines the legislative agenda for ASUW each year.^{[citation needed]}

ASUW's Arts & Entertainment department funds movies and concerts, in addition to many other different events on campus.^{[citation needed]} ASUW has coordinated the appearances of artists like the The Shins, Mos Def and Michael Ian Black.^{[citation needed]}

Notable alumni

William H. Gates, Sr.: Philanthropist and Author^{[citation needed]}
Tom Foley: Speaker- U.S. House of Representatives^{[citation needed]}

ASUW Presidents
Marion Zioncheck: US Senator 1927-1928^{[citation needed]}
Brockman "Brock"Adams: Politician 1948-1949^{[citation needed]}
Rob McKenna: Washington State Attorney General 2004-2012
Bob Ferguson: King County Councilmember

External links

ASUW Experimental College

• ASUW Website
• Student Senate
• University of Washington
• ASUW Wiki
• Graduate and Professional Student Senate