Logan Ramsey

News Editor

The arrival of the spring semester also brings the arrival of the Associated Students of Idaho State University (ASISU) election season. The dates when voting will take place will be from March 16 to March 20. Candidate packages will be available by February and they’ll be due by February 8.

Rather than just plan events and fundraise, like many other systems of student government, ASISU determines and sets the budget for student organizations, deciding how and where student fees will be spent.

Students who are interested in running for elected office and representing the student body from their college can get access to these packages by going to the ASISU website. From there, the student candidate can begin running for office and publicizing their platform.

According to Aarianna Harmon, Elections Publicity Coordinator, this year will have similar virtual outreach that last year’s election had, due to the ongoing pandemic. This actually made it easier for them to engage with students on social media.

Harmon has also observed ASISU working together well despite the stresses of the pandemic.

“I definitely see everyone, even with the pandemic and some of us meeting online, that people are still able to work together and be a team,” Harmon said.

Harmon decided to get involved with ASISU because of her interest in politics, as she’s a political science major and has been on the Bannock County Precinct Committee.

“I like to help influence change or policy where I can,” Harmon said.

However, you don’t have to be a political science major to pursue a position in ASISU. There are senator positions for the College of Arts & Letters, Business, Education, Graduate Studies, Health Professions, Nursing, Pharmacy, Rehabilitation & Communication Sciences, Science & Engineering and Technology. This is to ensure that students from all across ISU have representation.

Brandon Reid, Senator for the College of Nursing, who started his term in Fall 2020, “saw ASISU as an avenue to try and make positive changes for students.” He especially wanted to represent nursing students. Previously, the College of Nursing was represented under the College of Health Professions.

“I would advise students that ASISU is a great opportunity to get involved in student government and gain leadership skills. I think anyone that wants to make a change, stand up for their fellow classmates, or has any interest in student government should run for office,” Reid said.

Pamela Pascali, Senator for the College of Arts & Letters, said that she first became interested in running for ASISU when she saw her husband elected as a Graduate Studies Senator.

She started her term in Fall 2020 and her goal, “has always been to be a voice for inclusion and equity.”

Pascali serves on the Rules Appointment Committee, which proofreads bills and resolutions. She makes it a point to ensure that they’re using inclusive language. She’s also worked on a resolution to give support to the Pocatello Human Rights Advisory Committee’s Resolution of Welcome, which the Pocatello City Council later passed. Senators Kay, Winslow and Pascali are working on a resolution to voice issues with the administration bringing Chick-fil-A to our campus due to their problematic past with LGBTQIA+ issues.

“I would advise any student to go for it! Run for office! It is not as daunting as it seems and the connections you make while serving are amazing,” Pascali said.