Graphic by Natalie Lutz
General ASOSU Graphic
Editor’s note: The Barometer is still investigating this story as it develops and waiting on interview responses from other representatives at OSU and within ASOSU. This story has been updated to include a comment from former ASOSU Vice President Zach Kowash.
Oregon State University has placed many of its student government proceedings on an extended pause until May 2 due to a “harmful” environment and “systematic breakdown”.
In an email Friday morning to all Associated Students of Oregon State University leaders, Dan Larson, vice provost for student affairs and ASOSU President Audrey Schlotter detailed a shutdown and plan to reform ASOSU.
According to the email, the elections, set to close at 3 p.m. today, will still occur along with student fee setting processes. Programs such as SafeRide will still run. The elections committee will still be allowed to meet under the guidance of ASOSU advisors and the Division of Student Affairs.
The letter states that senate, judicial council and student fee committee meetings will not occur along with any activities from committees outside of the Executive Branch.
In the email, Larson said he consulted with Schlotter and determined that ASOSU is not currently serving its intended purpose for the students or university “as both an educational program and shared governance partner.”
“The university cannot allow coworkers to push the boundaries of civility, respect in the workplace, and human decency to the point that peers and colleagues are forced to choose between service to the university and their personal well-being,” Larson said.
According to Schlotter in an interview this morning, this decision comes after internal turmoil between leaders within ASOSU that has occurred through recent administrations.
Schlotter said the resignation of former vice president Zach Kowash was the tipping point after months of turmoil within ASOSU, saying Kowash “embodies the good of OSU”.
Kowash resigned through email Tuesday morning, citing internal turmoil and cruelness within ASOSU.
Reached by email, Kowash said that he does not want to take full credit for this shutdown, but that he is glad his resignation could help to make a reform begin to happen.
“I have full faith that under a thorough review of each component of the ASOSU, students will be able to again feel confident in the fair and thoughtful governance that ASOSU should be known for,” Kowash said.
Schlotter had a similar outlook, and said she hopes that this will make ASOSU a better representative body.
“What I would say to (students) is they have a right to be served and represented by people who have their best interest at heart and are doing that in an ethical way, and currently that’s not happening,” Schlotter said in the interview this morning. “The internal turmoil ASOSU is making it so we can’t represent who I was elected to represent and who they were elected to represent.”
It is not yet known exactly how today’s elections will be affected, which current legislation will be affected, what this means for in-progress projects within ASOSU or if this decision is allowed under ASOSU bylaws. The Barometer will update its coverage as this story develops.
Email in full:
I write to inform you of my deep concern regarding the health and function of the ASOSU student government, and to communicate my expectation for your immediate attention and action. The well-being and success of students at Oregon State University is our highest priority. Student leadership should be a positive and developmental experience, fostering skills, confidence, and meaningful contributions to the university community. However, it has become evident that the culture, practices, norms and governing documents are leading to a systematic breakdown in the employment environment that has become harmful. I have been informed of these issues, and I have repeatedly requested that ASOSU student leaders take these matters seriously and see that they are addressed. I have not seen evidence of improvement. Instead, given the time and space to self-govern, the result has been further deterioration of the ASOSU organization and its work culture.
In consultation and alignment with ASOSU President Schlotter, I have determined that ASOSU is not serving students or the institution in the way it was intended as both an educational program and shared governance partner. Nor does ASOSU’s current environment align with its mission to promote academic excellence, encourage the intellectual, social, cultural, and physical development of the student body, and enable the student body to assert its varied interests as citizens and members of the academic community through democratic representation.
Together we have a responsibility to ensure that student leadership remains a constructive and secure environment where students can engage without fear. The university cannot allow coworkers to push the boundaries of civility, respect in the workplace, and human decency to the point that peers and colleagues are forced to choose between service to the university and their personal well-being.
Effective immediately, and to safeguard the well-being of all student leaders and ensure ASOSU can fulfill its mission as the recognized OSU Corvallis campus student government, certain functions of the ASOSU organization and its student-employees will be paused, and its student employees and officers will be directed to undertake a comprehensive programmatic review. The result of this review should be a subsequent action plan. The areas of review and action will include a review of governing documents, employment practices, legislative procedures, election process and procedures, organizational culture and community standards, among other areas. This review will include an extended assessment of both student conduct as well as student employment, in matters related to allegations of intimidation, hostile work environment, retaliation, acts of bias, and other behavior and performance issues. All currently employed student government leaders are expected to remain employed and paid for their time. They will work alongside any newly elected leaders who are interested and able to take part. All are expected to contribute positively as elected and appointed leaders of the ASOSU, and all OSU policies continue to apply to their employment and student status.
During this period, the following activities will be paused and will not take place:
• ASOSU Senate meetings and committee meetings
• ASOSU Judicial Council meetings and hearings
• ASOSU Student Fee Committee meetings
• All activities of Independent Committees of the Executive Branch
The following activities may continue under the guidance of ASOSU advisors and the Division of Student Affairs:
• ASOSU Elections and Elections Committee meetings
• ASOSU Executive Branch Cabinet and All-Staff meetings
• ASOSU Executive Branch-sponsored and co-sponsored programs
• Annual process review of the student incidental fee-setting process
• Meetings with ASOSU advisors and other OSU staff
• Non-student government programs associated with the ASOSU unit (e.g., SafeRide)
Requests for activities not listed above should be submitted to Kevin Dougherty, Senior Associate Vice Provost and Dean of Students, for consideration.
Throughout this process, ASOSU advisors and Associate Dean of Students Leslie Schacht Drey, as well as other Student Affairs leaders, and in partnership with ASOSU President Schlotter will design, direct and facilitate this process. During this time, I encourage student leaders to reflect on the current state of ASOSU, review governing documents, and consider the role you wish to play in building a more functional, inclusive, and accountable organization, one that serves the best interests of the entire OSU student body. The university also stands ready to provide the help and assistance of experienced facilitators, such as the University Ombuds Office.
This process is expected to be completed by May 2, 2025. It is also expected that ASOSU will remain the recognized student government at the OSU Corvallis Campus through this process and that the outcomes reached through this process will confirm ASOSU’s maintenance of its recognized status. It is our hope and expectation that this review is an opportunity to build a stronger, healthier environment where student leaders can thrive and contribute meaningfully.
More information on this process will be provided in the coming week.
Sincerely,
Dan Larson Vice Provost for Student Affairs
Audrey Schlotter
ASOSU President