ASU has one of the largest student populations in the country. Those students are represented by five student government offices. There is one for each campus and another just for graduate students.
The presidents who make up these student governments are responsible for making big campus decisions. For example, tuition and fee increases as well as state policies that impact students.
Jackson Dangremond, a senior health innovation major, is the president of the Undergraduate Student Government at the ASU Downtown Campus. He likes to refer to the student government as a micro-version of a larger government.
“We also have a campus senate as well as a judiciary,” he said.
The USG President says he was inspired to get involved with student government because he wanted to help people and do his part to bring the community closer together.
“I’ve always loved downtown just because it seems much more close knit,” he said.
Although he likes his job, Dangremond says it is not all easy. Student governments often make controversial decisions, and, naturally, that can attract negative attention. He says he and his office collect as much feedback from students as possible before making big decisions.
“No system’s ever perfect," he said. "We’ve really tried our best this year to collect as much feedback as possible, and I’d say that’s something that USG probably needs to improve throughout the next few years too."
Dangremond spends long hours in his office in the downstairs area of the post office building, often working 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., but he says the schools takes care of USG presidents pretty well.
The job comes with a stipend and a scholarship.
“The stipend helps not being able to work another job, just because, while on paper you get payed for 20-25 hours per week, it really is a full-time position, he said.
Dangremond’s term will end in April, and he does not plan to run again as he will be graduating.
To contact ASU's Downtown Student Government visit: usgdowntown.com
Previous episodes:
After Hour: Author and ASU student discusses overcoming depression
After Hour: DACA recipient discusses growing up and the protests that landed her in jail
After Hour: Former addict coordinates ASU's Recovery Rising program
Follow the host @westfallaustin on Twitter.
Like State Press on Facebook and follow @statepress on Twitter.
