Student Life

Associated Students of Washington State University Vancouver (ASWSUV)

Contact information:

Online: www.aswsuv.com

In-person: ASWSUV offices are located in the Firstenburg Student Commons Office Suite.

What is ASWSUV?

The Associated Students of Washington State University Vancouver (ASWSUV) is the official student association for all registered students attending WSU Vancouver. The association is led by elected student leaders in both the executive branch and the legislative branch of student government. These elected and appointed leaders initiate and coordinate student activities to represent student interests, needs, and welfare within the University community at large on issues affecting student life; and to supplement and complement formal education on the University campus.

What does ASWSUV do?

ASWSUV works towards two main goals: to create an engaging student life on campus, and to represent and advocate for student needs both within and outside of the WSU System. To achieve the first goal, ASWSUV organizes student events both on and off campus, provides tickets to local performances, works to resolve student issues, and provides funding to clubs and organizations. In an effort to meet the second goal, ASWSUV represents student needs to an all campus Student Government Council, to the President of the University, and to local and state legislatures. ASWSUV lobbies on behalf of student interests, always working to protect students' rights. ASWSUV's budget is funded by S&A fees.

ASWSUV consists of three branches:

Legislative branch:

Senate: The ASWSUV Senate consists of 11 senators, elected in the spring of each year to serve for the following year. Their responsibilities include: adopting and amending the ASWSUV budget, confirming all presidential appointments, approving all funding requests through ASWSUV, and acting as advocates for student needs. Senators are required to hold bi-monthly senate meetings and to post and maintain three office hours per week.

Judicial branch:

The ASWSUV Judicial Board is composed of three members who are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Members serve for as long as they are continuously enrolled at WSU Vancouver. The Judicial Board adjudicates disputes involving the interpretation and application of the ASWSUV By-Laws and Constitution and By-laws.

Executive branch:

The ASWSUV Executive Branch is composed of the President and Vice President, elected by the student body, and a staff hired by the President and Vice President. The Executive Staff consists of the Director of Legislative Affairs, Activities Director, Leadership Development Director, Public Relations Director, Information Technology Assistant, Event Assistant, and a Student Activities Board.

President: Serves on campus and ASWSUV committees, maintains healthy relationships with the Chancellor, ASWSUV advisors, and student body presidents at the other WSU campuses; develops a strategic master plan for the year, authorizes budget expenses, organizes the weekly executive staff meetings, and oversees and evaluates the executive staff members. The president is required to post and maintain an average of 20 office hours per week.

Vice President: Serves on campus and ASWSUV committees, manages the ASWSUV Senate, organizes and chairs the bi-monthly senate meetings, coordinates legislation with the President and Senators, and assists the President with Executive duties. The vice president is required to post and maintain an average of 20 office hours per week.

The executive staff fulfill the duties of their specific positions while also acting on behalf of the ASWSUV President to carry out his/her goals for the term in office. Executive staff are required to post and maintain office hours according to the ASWSUV By-laws.

General Election:

The General Election is held annually on the Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday before Spring Break of the academic year. The purpose of the General Election is:

  • To elect the ASWSUV president and vice president for the following year.
  • To elect the members of the ASWSUV senate for the following year.
  • To vote on any ballot issues which may be proposed to the membership of ASWSUV.

ASWSUV committees:

ASWSUV committees address specific topics of interest to the student body and extend the opportunities for students to be involved in student government. Chairs are appointed by the ASWSUV president and confirmed by the senate and may receive a modest stipend.

Office of Student Involvement

Contact information:

Online: OSI Web
In-person: The Office of Student Involvement (OSI) is located in the Firstenburg Student Commons Office Suite.
Phone: 360-546-9163
Email: osi@vancouver.wsu.edu

What is OSI?

The Office of Student Involvement is a central office for opportunities to engage in activities outside the academic classroom. Professional staff, student staff, and interns create, and continually enhance, a holistic, co-curricular student experience at WSU Vancouver. OSI is dedicated to providing students with an opportunity to engage in social, recreational, cultural, and leadership experiences.

What does OSI do?

OSI professional staff advise student leaders and student organizations, including ASWSUV, Student Media organizations, Student Ambassador program, Registered Student Organizations (RSO), and recreation trip leaders. Organize and implement programming, including annual and re-occurring events listed below. Employ numerous student staff positions and interns responsible for large-scale programs, intramurals, outdoor recreation events, office support, fitness classes, and fitness center operations. Serve on and/or appoint individuals for University-wide committees. OSI's budget is funding by S&A fees.

Events and activities:

OSI organizes quality events and activities for students and the broader campus community. Many events are offered for free, at a student discount, and students are often able to bring guest(s). Events may be planned in collaboration with student organizations and other University departments. Events may include, but are not limited to,:

  • Annual Public Affairs Lecture Series
  • Annual ski tripWhite Water Rafting Trip
  • Women of Distinction
  • Dodgeball Tournament
  • Fitness Fair

Services and programs:

Provide students with access to free or discounted services and programs.; may include, but are not limited to,:

  • Fitness Trainer
  • Equipment rentals (ski/snowboard, camping, mountain bike, etc.)
  • Discounted tickets (lift tickets, Trailblazers, Oregon Zoo, etc.)
  • Leadership seminars and Leadership Library
  • Networking opportunities
  • Intramurals- on & off campus (soccer, basketball, volleyball, football, etc.)
  • Event planning for student organizations
  • Mailboxes and computers for student organizations

Facilities and points of interest:

Provide access to facilities in support of OSI programming and services; facilities may include, but are not limited to,:

  • Fitness Center, lower-level Library building, approved users include enrolled students, faculty and staff of WSU Vancouver
  • Intramural fields/Sport Court, south-east section of campus
  • Office space for ASWSUV, Media Organizations
  • Firstenburg Student Commons (in collaboration with Facilities Operations)
  • Disc Golf Course
  • Cougar Trails

Services and Activities (S&A) fees

Services and Activities (S&A) fees are one component of the total tuition and fees that students pay. S&A fees are available to support non-academic student activities and programs on campus. Any WSU Vancouver group, organization, or individual may request funds, but the purpose must be to support non-academic student activities and programs.

Each year a budget for S&A fees is developed by the S&A fee committee. The committee is made up of students, faculty, and administrators. The total amount to be allocated to the various student groups is based on an estimate of S&A fee revenue from the budget office. Each year in March or April, a meeting is held where the various student groups are invited to present to the committee a budget request for the following academic year. In their request, each group must explain what the requested funds will be used for. The committee then develops an overall budget with allocations of the expected revenue to the various groups. The proposed budget is then delivered to the Board of Regents for their approval.

For further information, see Services & Activities Fees (S&A) Fees.

Student clubs & societies

Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs)

Currently, approximately 40+ RSOs function at WSU Vancouver and include to academic, social, recreational, honor societies, and special interest organizations. The University gives a great deal of latitude to RSOs who wish to be formally registered as they are grass-roots organizations. All WSU Vancouver RSOs have a designated staff/faculty advisor, have completed the registration process, have agreed not to discriminate against protected groups, and have agreed to uphold local, state, and federal laws. Once registered with the University via the Office of Student Involvement, RSOs have the right to sponsor on-campus activities, use University facilities on a space available basis, set up an account with the University to deposit and expend funds, and seek funding from the ASWSUV Senate. Students interested in starting an RSO should first contact the Office of Student Involvement for the appropriate forms and related information.

To learn more about current active and inactive RSOs, explore the Registered Student Organizations page.

The Student Media Board and its programs

The Student Media Board (SMB) is a WSU Vancouver committee that oversees all S&A fee funded student media programs. Currently these include The VanCougar (student newspaper), the Salmon Creek Journal (student literary journal), and KOUG (student radio station). The SMB is comprised of students, faculty and staff, and is lead by four student executive board members.

Each media program has a professional advisor and paid student staff. Typically, student Editors and/or Managers, the leaders of the programs, are selected by the Student Media Board in the spring for the following academic year. Times and locations of the monthly Media Board meetings are available from the Student Involvement Manager.

The VanCougar

VCLS 212 · 360-546-9524 · vancouged@vancouver.wsu.edu

The VanCougar is published twice a month during the academic year and available throughout the campus at no cost. The Web version of the paper is found via the Office of Student Involvement

Features include campus news, a variety of columns, opinion pieces, and feature stories. Students interested in working for the paper should contact the Editor-in-Chief.

The Salmon Creek Journal

VCLS 212 · 360-546-9524 · scj@vancouver.wsu.edu

The Salmon Creek Journal is published annually prior to the end of spring term. As a literary journal, it features student creative writing, poetry, art, and photography. A call for submission in the journal occurs at the end of fall term or early spring term. The SCJ is available at no charge to current WSU Vancouver students. Students interested in submitting to the journal should contact the Editor.

KOUG Radio

Plant Services Building · 360-546-9787 · koug@vancouver.wsu.edu

KOUG is a student operated radio station that broadcasts online. The radio station hosts live dj shows and programs, special feature content, news, and student-selected music. KOUG provides an outlet for creative expression and radio exploration. Students interested in on-air or behind the scenes involvement should contact the Station Manager.