Q&A with ASUHWO President, Ryan Sommer

(From left) Eric Kang, Business Administration Senator; Brieana Williams, Vice President; Ryan Sommer, President; Isaiah Baclaan, Social Sciences Senator at January 2015 Club Rush.

From left to right: Eric Kang, Business Administration Senator; Brieana Williams, Vice President; Ryan Sommer, President; Isaiah Baclaan, Social Sciences Senator at January 2015 Club Rush.

The Associated Students of the University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu (ASUHWO) supports the coordination of student services, including organizing school-wide functions. The ASUHWO Senate is elected by the UHWO student body. E Kamakani Hou asked ASUHWO President Ryan Sommer a few questions about ASUHWOʻs initiatives for the upcoming year and how students can get involved.

Tell us about the initiatives that the Associated Students of the University of Hawaiʻi – West Oʻahu (ASUHWO) has planned for the fall 2015 semester.

We have a few initiatives lined up for the Fall 2015 semester:

Currently we are finalizing the ASUHWO textbook lending library. This initiative was started by Social Sciences Senator Isaiah Baclaan. This program will increase the number of textbooks provided in the library on loan so that the students without the means to purchase their own will have access to more textbooks.

The co-curricular transcripts transcripts initiative will be provide a service similar to the academic transcripts already provided by UHWO, but they highlight the student’s involvement on campus in clubs, non-class activities, professional seminars sponsored by the school, etc. A student can use it similarly to a curriculum vitae when applying to graduate programs or jobs.

The discount card initiative for ASUHWO will be looking into different organizations and businesses throughout the community willing to offer discounts to UHWO students.

The Veterans Committee is a current collaboration partnership that ASUHWO is in the process of forming with the aid of student volunteers to assess the services offered to veterans on our campus, as well as to look for ways to streamline the transition process from active duty to the lifestyle of a student at the University.

The Veterans Center initiative encompasses ASUHWO looking for federal grants designed to provide funds for the construction and staffing of a veterans center on our campus. It is our hope that one of our current buildings can be retrofitted to accommodate a Veterans Center or office with one of these available grants, as other campuses in the UH System have had great success in this arena.

ASUHWO Senior Class Senator Jacxine Kaulili-Guzon is working on forming a mentor program targeting Senior Class students. This program will mentor Senior Class level students in achieving their academic goals and transitioning them towards graduation and moving towards job goals and life outside of the university. It will also focus on helping transfer students and non-traditional students who may need some extra assistance with transitioning into University life.

How can students give their input/voice into what student initiatives they would like to pursue?

We urge students to contact us regarding any questions and or needs that they may have. Though we are available to be contacted by email and Facebook, we prefer if they come to our office (located in the Student Lounge in the Campus Center building) or stop us when they see us on campus. For ASUHWO, there is nothing we enjoy more that being able to help students in person and make another friend.

All of our contact information can be found in each classroom so that students can easily reach each Senator personally. Our office hours are posted on our office door so that each Senator can be found during office hours, should you need to reach them in person on a weekly basis as well.

How do students get involved in student government?

There are a couple ways students can get involved with ASUHWO this year. First, we still have open seats in the Senate and we are looking for: a Freshman Senator, A Business Administration Senator, a Public Administration Senator, a Humanities Senator, an Education Senator, and we have a second seat available for the UH Student Caucus Delegate. ASUHWO will have applications available for Fall Special Elections at the Welcome Back/Club Rush Event. Also, this year ASUHWO will be forming special committees throughout the year and asking students to sit on these committees within ASUHWO to serve in an advisory role when extra help is needed. Interested students can come to our office or contact me via email, and we will gladly get them started. We are really trying to get as much student input and participation as possible!

Tell us about your work with ASUHWO as its President?

Being the ASUHWO President has been one of the hardest jobs I have ever undertaken. It has also been one of the most rewarding. As President, I am the bridge between the Senate and the Administration. I problem solve and assist the Senate with completing their initiatives. I serve on several campus committees as well as system-wide committees advocating on the behalf of the students on our campus as well as UH students as a whole. I spend around 35-40 hours a week in the ASUHWO office and on campus serving in official capacity, as well as the late nights at home attempting to get a head start on the next days work. It is truly a labor of love.

What are ASUHWO’s biggest triumphs? Challenges?

The biggest triumphs always come with challenges; and ASUHWO has continuously expanded its abilities each year. When the new campus opened in fall of 2012, ASUHWO was serving the students in several functions beyond its purpose. ASUHWO was organizing all the events on campus while also attempting to advocate for the student body at the same time. ASUHWO assisted in securing the student fees necessary put programs in place that were vital to our accreditation review as well as forming the other chartered student organizations on campus: the Campus Center Board, the Student Activity Fee Board, and the Media and Publications Board were created by writing their original charters and suggesting the appointments of the original students on the boards.

Since their formation, the amazing students on those boards have done so much to improve campus life by taking charge of these Board’s missions through their single handed efforts and dedicated advocacy.

What do you like most about being a student at UH West Oʻahu?

I feel like I am getting more education than I am paying for. The professors take the time to really help the students on our campus. I can’t even begin to express how lucky we are to have such an amazing group of educators, and are very dedicated to student success. When I hear from students at other UH campuses and the private colleges, some tell me that they just feel like a number and that their professors and the staff don’t seem to have a personal connection with them. The faculty and staff here at UH West Oʻahu, however, are amazing. Students, faculty, and staff all serve as a team with a common goal and you can see it everyday on campus. We all work together as a family towards a common goal- and that is something that is noticeable and amazing about our campus.

Image courtesy of Mellissa Lochman