Have you wondered about what ASBSU is or maybe you’ve never even heard of it? Well, you’re not alone. The Associated Students of Boise State University (ASBSU) President, Adam Jones said that 90% of students don’t interact with ASBSU or know who they are, considering only 10% of students participate in the annual election. So, what does ASBSU do and why should you care? We’ve got you covered.
What they do
ASBSU has an impact on student life and the Boise State campus since student representatives make decisions and policies that affect the student body — that includes you.
Their goal is to facilitate university involvement under the umbrella of education, culture, and social engagement, and they advocate for the interests of all students. They have their own policies and processes apart from Boise State University Administration that are governed solely by students.
There are five branches in ASBSU, each with their own mission, that work toward specific goals to meet the needs of students.
You can easily learn about ASBSU’s mission by accessing all their governing documents, including their constitution, which is available to the public.
Why you should care
There’s a representative for just about every group of students you can think of. Have an issue you want to address or something you want to change? Reach out to an Assembly member who can help you take the steps to address that issue.
Being a part of ASBSU opens opportunities for students in their future careers and expands connections, communication, and collaboration skills, regardless of major. Even if you can’t be a member, you can still reap the benefits of their resources.
You can get your individual or club trips and projects funded by the Funding Board by filling out an ASBSU grant request form, then attend a short hearing to determine if you’re eligible for a grant. The goal is to encourage students to participate in conferences, collaborate for innovative events, and get back the funds they’re putting into their education.
Need legal assistance? ASBSU also offers free attorney consultations for fee-paying Boise State students.
That’s the gist of it! You can email asbsu@boisestate.edu with any questions, comments, or concerns. You can get to know the student representatives by reading their biographies and contacting them.
Their office is located on the second floor of the Student Union Building in the Student Involvement & Leadership Center above Buster’s Kitchen.
Dates to remember
Representatives are elected by the student body annually. The next ASBSU election takes place the first week of April.
Election debates happen on Friday, March 3 and voting takes place Monday, April 3 and Tuesday, April 4. Then, the election results will be announced Wednesday, April 5 via mass email. Inauguration takes place on Tuesday, April 18 at 4:00 p.m. Stay up to date on other important election dates.
Weekly committee meetings are open to the public on Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. to see the student representatives in action and hear what they are working on. Check out their meeting times and locations.
Lastly, follow @asbsu on Instagram for important dates, information on meetings, and updates on what they’re doing to improve students’ experience at Boise State.
