Why are you running in the ASUO Election?
Hi! My name is Sara Vilawan (she/her), and I am a second-year Environmental Studies major and English minor. During my free time, I love being outdoors, being glued to a good book, or exploring new places around town. This year, I have the privilege of being the Co-director of the Thai Student Association, the Media Coordinator for Citizens’ Climate Lobby, and the Secretary of Student Organizations in ASUO Exec. Being a part of these organizations, I have been able to stay true to my passions, which is advocating for marginalized communities on campus and supporting climate initiatives, two issues that I see intersect. I am running for ASUO Senate because I believe in the importance of representation, uplifting students across campus, and supporting communities that work to instill systemic change within our society. Whether that lies within student orgs on campus or my peers within my major, I strive to advocate for our student body and break down barriers that inhibit us from thriving here at UO.
As one of the most front facing parts of ASUO, how do you plan on making these interactions as positive as possible for students?
With my experience as the Co-director of the Thai Student Association and interacting with student org leaders through my position as Secretary of Student Organizations, I understand the barriers and limitations of interacting with ASUO Senate first hand. A complaint I hear often is the lack of communication and understanding between ASUO and student org leaders. If elected, I am committed to creating positive experiences for student orgs through respectful treatment, complete transparency, and providing resources and institutional knowledge to help orgs thrive. My vote will always be in favor of those who are working to build strong communities that provide positive spaces for students here at UO, for I understand the amount of work that goes into navigating finances when running a club. I am, and will always be, an open resource to come to for any questions, guidance, and hope to be an ally to anyone facing difficulties when navigating surplus requests.
How are you connected to the academic programs you represent? How will you utilize these connections to best represent students?
As an Environmental Studies major, I dip my toe into many different disciplines within the sciences. From biology to chemistry to earth sciences and more, I am pretty well-versed when it comes to the STEM departments. Additionally, I have connections to the Office of Sustainability on campus, which gives me access to a large network of people in high places. I understand that as STEM majors, our course work is difficult, rigorous, and time-consuming. I hope to advocate for policies and remove challenges related to graduation. Whether that is keeping the libraries open for 24hrs during midterms season, transparency within advising, or improvements in registration, I am here to help you!