The Associated Students of Linfield University, known around campus as ASLU, functions as Linfield’s student government. Their goal is to connect learning, life, and community across campus. Some examples of this are sitting on academic committees, planning intramural sports, and overseeing the Wildcat Events Board. They rely on an eight-person cabinet made up of students from across campus to accomplish this.
Hadley Dunham is a senior law, rights and justice major from Walla Walla, Wash. who serves as ASLU’s vice president. Outside of student government, she works in Linfield’s political science department and at a local bakery, Alchemist’s Jam. As vice president, Dunham oversees the student senate.
“The main mission of the senate is to be the voice of the student body and share complaints, suggestions and ideas, so I’m able to direct information to the ASLU cabinet to put their ideas into action,” Dunham said.
Dunham has been involved with student government for her entire Linfield career through serving on the student senate her first and second years, and as vice president of student events her junior year. She’s enjoyed the vice president role because it has pushed her out of her comfort zone.
“There is a lot of public speaking. I’ve had to learn to not be so anxious and be confident in the material I am delivering,” Dunham said.
While Dunham has been involved all four years, it is not a requirement for serving on the ASLU cabinet. Kenny McMillen serves as the vice president of student involvement and this is his first year on ASLU. McMillen is a junior law, rights and justice and journalism and media studies major from Bandon, Ore. He also works as a resident assistant, registration and orientation leader and serves as vice president of the speech and debate team. In addition, he is The Linfield Review’s sports editor.
“I work with the clubs we have on campus to help them get funding for their events, promote them and get students involved on campus,” McMillen said.“I just want to do as much as I can to let our clubs channel their own passions through ASLU.”
Much of ASLU’s work happens behind the scenes. Sam Ruder, a junior wine studies major, serves as the executive administrator for ASLU. He also works in residence life and is a member of Delta Psi Delta, Linfield’s local fraternity. The executive administrator works mostly in a secretarial capacity.
“Most of my role is taking meeting minutes and managing our office,” Ruder said.
Ruder also manages elections, a responsibility that is vital to keeping ASLU running. He ensures students remain engaged and have access to the most current information about campus life.
“My role has an important impact as I make sure that the students are included in ASLU,” he said.
Another important behind-the-scenes position is publicity director. Serving in this role is Emma Oakley, a senior marketing major from Canby, Ore. On campus, she is involved in sorority life and serves on the Linfield Panhellenic Council.
“My day-to-day consists of managing both the @aslu_mac and @linfieldweb Instagram accounts, as well as managing the ASLU publicity boards and making sure the content on them follows our publicity policy,” Oakley said. “I love working with social media. I worked closely with the last publicity director. I loved helping her out, so I felt this would be a fun experience.”
Dunham, McMillen, Ruder and Oakley all said they find personal reward in serving on ASLU.
“Everyone in the ASLU cabinet has such a strong connection that going to work just feels like hanging out with friends,” Oakley said. “It is such an amazing community of people.”
The four cabinet members also shared similar sentiments about getting involved in student government.
“One of the greatest joys of my Linfield journey so far has been being active in the communities that I love so much. Student voices are endlessly important, and any way you can support your community is vital,” said Ruder.
To learn more about getting involved in Linfield’s student government, DM @aslu_mac on Instagram or stop by the ASLU office in Riley Hall, Room 216.
