Why are you running in the ASUO Elections?

Hi everyone! My name is Rain, any pronouns. I’m a freshman from Portland, and the current Academic Senator for Undecided students. I believe that student government exists to uplift students. This year, I've learned a lot. I helped rewrite the financial priorities for surplus spending, circulated the DACA Advisory board/ASUO immigration guide, and contributed to several resolutions. The relationships between ASUO, the student body and school officials is complicated, but I am open and ready to do the work. I want to bring a neurodivergent perspective to PFC, and to increase visibility for smaller student orgs. The world we live in is not accepting of difference. I am autistic, and I have experienced that first hand. This past year I have heard many stories about lack of accessibility and blatant discrimination against people with disabilities at UO and in the community. The voices of autistic adults are frequently not included in important conversations, which can create unfair, or even dangerous situations, and I know that other disabled groups experience similar problems. It is more important now than ever that ASUO has disabled and neurodiverse representation.

As one of the most front facing parts of ASUO, how do you plan on making these interactions as positive as possible for students?

Senate has been working all year to repair the relationship between ASUO and Student Organizations. Although the most effective way to serve Student Organizations is to have members on Senate, When I interact with Student Organization members outside of senate I always learn a lot. When I go to events, or communicate with Student Organization leaders outside of my ASUO role, I often walk away with a better understanding of what they are asking for. It is Senate's task to reach out and create a partnership with student organizations, because we are all stronger together.

Is there a particular ASUO funded service or organization (or multiple) that you are passionate about and hope to work with? Why?

This year was the first time I'd had access to multiple disabled and neurodiverse adults through Access Ability and the Neurodiversity Allegiance. It has been amazing to have other neurodivergent people who I can rely on. I have come to realize that Student Organizations can provide community and services for students that ASUO cannot. I am running for PFC to provide a neurodiverse perspective, and to insure that all Student Organizations are supported and respected. Being neurodiverse, disabled or different in any way puts students at constant risk of being dehumanized and devalued. ASUO has a history of failing to properly partner with Student Organizations, which has resulted in a lack of trust between ASUO and the students we are trying to serve. ASUO's trying to be better, but we still have a long way to go. I will do my best to communicate regularly, openly and transparently with Student Organization Leaders, and make sure that Access Ability and The Neurodiversity Allegiance are given the support they deserve.