Why are you running in the ASUO Elections?

My name is River Collis (he/him) and I am a second year communication disorders major in the college of education. I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, but I am originally from Melbourne, Australia. I'm passionate about linguistics, ornithology, trans rights and Lord of the Rings. I'm running for ASUO because I want to help improve campus resources for students in need, as well as ensuring we support our disabled and trans communities.

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

I like to consider myself an open and approachable person, and I am in several student organizations funded and supported by ASUO, so I'm pretty well connected in the communities ASUO represents. I also understand that not everyone can make it to senate meetings, so I plan to be as open and accessible online for students to submit their ideas of how I can help them improve campus.

How are you connected to the academic programs you represent? How will you utilize these connections to best represent students?

The education department is a pretty close knit department; however most classes, especially in my major, don't start until sophomore year, and the coffee hours and community meetings feel unapproachable if you don't have much experience with your cohort. Furthermore, my first class was asynchronous and I felt very disconnected from my major, it almost made me switch to a different one. I want to reach out to my community and help create more approachable and accessible events where people can learn about the education department and students can connect with one another.