Next year’s president and VP address students
(The Beacon)
By Quinten Chadwick and Elvia Gaona, Guest Commentary
First and foremost, we would like to give a big thank you from the 2013-2014 ASUP Executive Board to the students who participated and voted in this year's election! Your support and involvement in this student body and community is greatly appreciated.
The weekend after the conclusion of the ASUP elections, your newly elected executive board attended the annual transition retreat in Manzanita, Ore. During the retreat, we reflected on the goals and expectations that we set for ourselves and the other board members. Two characteristics stood out to us from our time together on retreat: our drive and the support we offer one another. Immediately after the election results were announced, this group agreed to hold each other accountable in reaching our goals as servant leaders, and maintaining our high expectations. This group has been extremely supportive and willing to work together to perform in a responsible and dutiful manner to the students of the University of Portland. ASUP and the University of Portland will witness a change of mindset and a new direction of thinking as we transition to this new administration.
There are a few specific goals and expectations that you can expect when the new executive board takes office. President Chadwick will not only serve as a liaison between students, senate and the administration but also as an intermediary to connect other departments, groups and organizations campus-wide. Vice President Gaona will also host monthly meetings and check-ins with all senators to make suggestions and confirm that senators are meeting their expectations. It will be clear to the student body who the representatives are through senator spotlights and biographies posted around campus and online. As for your student budget, Treasurer Robinson hopes to increase spending to 80 percent by having tentative spending deadlines for each line item and doing regular checkups to ensure that money does not go unspent. By funding what is most important to each club, she hopes that the budgeting and reallocation process will be more in line with what clubs desire. With elections, Secretary Thomas will work on making applications electronic as well as change election rules and create videos to promote ASUP events. Our secretary is ready to promote ASUP and build awareness for what ASUP does by making meeting minutes and records more accessible to students. CPB director Evan Castro will work to bring the fun to campus through ASUP sponsored events. He will be focused on increasing school pride by creating a spirit week and working with Residence Life and senators to make this happen. Additionally, we expect to book our artist for Rock the Bluff during the first semester of the school year.
Moreover, look forward to a new ASUP website to allow for easier navigation. Blogs and resolutions will constantly be posted to keep you updated. The Beacon will also become one of our greatest resources as we work together to bridge the gap between students and administration.
Your leaders are selfless, passionate and highly motivated to serve you. The Executive Board's excitement and experience will guide them to connect all groups at the University and make your time on The Bluff worthwhile.
We are ready to begin our legacy in serving the students at the University of Portland. We are also excited to make positive impacts on this community and have fun!
Warm regards,
Quin Chadwick & Elvia Gaona, ASUP President & VP
Quinten Chadwick is a sophomore organizational communications major and Elvia Gaona is a sophomore political science major. They can be reached at chadwick15@up.edu and gaonaman15@up.edu.
