Tyne Klammer
Staff Reporter
Associated Students of Pacific Lutheran University (ASPLU) finished up senator elections Sep. 30 with all eight new senators running unopposed.
Nya Spivey and Taezha Watson were elected to represent the class of 2026, Christopher Escobedo was elected for the class of 2025, Elija Paez was elected for the class of 2024 and Jasneet Sandu was elected for class of 2023.
The Off-Campus senator elected was Maddy Murphy, the On-Campus senator elected was Danielle Poulin, and one Senator-at-Large was elected, Aku Dogbe.
The election process began at the beginning of September, starting with interest meetings that had a great turnout this year according to ASPLU president Kenzie Knapp. At these meetings, those interested could learn about the election process and the next steps toward being elected. After attending an interest meeting, anyone could sign up to run in the election. The subsequent step in the process was to receive 25 signatures from the student body in order to endorse their place in the election. Policy proposals detailing candidates’ qualifications and proposed projects were then turned in to the president. These profiles were then posted prior to the formal vote, which was sent out over email to the student body.
As president, Knapp helps facilitate the senator election, leads senate meetings, takes in legislation from senators and guides the conversation for adopting, amending, and passing legislation. “My number one goal is to support the senators so that they can complete their projects in a timely manner,” Knapp said.
Knapp and ASPLU Vice President Andre Jones are currently working on continuing their RAD care project. This project focuses on mental health care on campus and encourages professors and faculty members to sign a pledge and create a personalized statement on how they will hold themselves accountable to create an atmosphere of sensitivity for their students.
“As a DJS (diversity, justice, and sustainability) institution, we try to frame all of the legislation we consider around those values,” Knapp said. Her main goal is to figure out how to better serve ASPLU’s mission and the school’s in general.
Although the voting-based elections are now complete, there are available positions for the Class of 2023, 2024, and 2025. There are also four at-large positions still available. To learn more about these positions and how to apply, visit the ASPLU Instagram page @asplu_lutes or the PLU opportunities board.
