Jasper Jones
News editor
mgjones@willamette.edu
Tatiana Amrein (‘20) will be serving as Vice President (VP) of Associated Students of Willamette University (ASWU) for the 2019-2020 academic year. Armein is a Politics, Policy Law & Ethics major with an economics minor. She is a former Collegian layout editor and Opening Days leader.
What led you to run for ASWU vice president?
“I was really inspired by the work the senators were doing last year. I was only on ASWU for one year as a senator, and seeing the class[es] of [2021 and] 2022 and how motivated they were to make change for their class… really inspired me to try and help senators this year make change on campus. Also, a lot of other student activism on campus was really inspiring to me. If I can help students do that in the setting of ASWU Senate, then that’s what I want… As VP, my job is around Senate and essentially my job is helping them.”
What was your experience like on ASWU last year?
“I was the whip for my class, which is essentially the person who coordinated the class caucus. I worked a lot with the VP last year and talked to her a lot about the happenings of my class. Last year’s Senate was brand new. Of the 20 senators that were elected, not including [American Studies Program] senators, one of them was a returner. So we had 19 new senators. I think last year was a really big year where we were trying to figure out and understand our role within Senate, and how we can apply that to greater campus… It goes into what inspired me [to run]. With a lot more returners [this year], we are continuing the momentum from last year.”
What are some of your goals for this semester?
“I just really want to help students make the changes they want on campus… If a student thinks this is something they want to do, I want to help them do it. Because this is hard, and it’s daunting… Really, my goal is to make sure that Senate can do what they need to do.
Another thing is campus doesn’t really know about ASWU Senate. Meetings are open to the public every Thursday at 7 p.m. starting [Sept.] 19. Anyone can come if they have about concerns about literally anything. They can come in and express them to Senate. That’s kind of the purpose of having a student government, is to listen to student needs. Another goal is to make ASWU more known to the student body as a resource to get change done.”
Where are you from?
“I was born and raised in Salem. I was born at Salem Hospital across the street. I went to Bush Elementary… The first time I came to Willamette’s campus was I think the third grade [on a school trip].”
What are some of your favorite ways to fill your free time?
“Sitting at the same table in the Bistro every morning starting at 7:30 in the morning. What do I do? Homework… The ideal is taking naps but that never happens… I could play ‘Elder Scrolls: Skyrim’ for years.”
Do you have pets?
“I have a cat. Her name is Spence. She’s kind of mean, but can be very loving when she chooses. She especially likes when I give her treats… I have a dog, Moobie, a mini Austrialian Shepherd who I love with all of my heart. She’s nice to me, unlike my cat.”
What are you looking forward to this year?
“Graduating. I am absolutely terrified for thesis, but I am also looking forward to thesis. All three years of work and classes coming to an end… just seeing everything be complete. Going through college, you have four years where nothing is done, nothing is complete, and then finally at the end it all comes together and that’s really what I am looking forward to. Everything in between will be nice too, but I am looking forward to the end.”
Anything else you would like to add?
“My office hours are Tuesday, Thursday 11:30-2:00, but I am also on campus most hours of the day, so just sending me an email asking if I am available is always an option. If anyone ever has any questions, comments, concerns, suggestions, needing to vent, if you need anything you can email me or come to my office hours.”
Comments