News

On Thursday, March 11, 2004, the Portland State University administration immediately cancelled the student body elections, which had been taking place since 8 a.m. the previous day, and were scheduled to end on Friday, March 12, 2004, at 5:00 p.m. In a letter addressed to various officers in Associated Students of Portland State University (ASPSU), Dr. Douglas Samuel, Vice Provost for Student Affairs, states: “In order to ensure fairness for all students in the election process, I have decided to take the following action: (1) All voting will be immediately discontinued and the results voided; and (2) A new election will take place for three days during the second week of Spring term.”

The decision to close the elections was made in response to complaints filed to the Office of Student Affairs regarding a decision made by the ASPSU Elections Committee to place sanctions on Reina Abolofia, a student who was campaigning for Polly Birge and Maude Bowman, candidates for ASPSU President and Vice President, respectively. The Elections Committee ruling states: “Reina Abolofia is no longer allowed to campaign on behalf of anyone. Any campaigning by Reina will be referred to Student Activities and Leadership Program (SALP) for further handling under their policies.” Questions were raised regarding the legality of these sanctions, and Abolofia sought outside legal support.

Because Abolofia was not able to appeal the Elections Committee ruling with the judicial branch of student government, known as the Evaluation and Constitutional Review Committee, within a time deemed appropriate by the PSU administration, Samuels made the decision to close the polls.

The leadership of ASPSU was not involved in this decision to cancel the elections. University administration failed to inform ASPSU President Amara Marino of their decision until after it had been made, leaving student government without the opportunity to address the legal implications.

“ASPSU is concerned with the decision the administration made because they didn’t consult students in the decision-making process, which shut down elections and shot down the student voice, limiting the ability for students to be heard,” Marino said. She also expressed her concerns with what type of precedent this sets for student-administration relations in the future. 

In an impromptu meeting Friday morning with Samuels and Wendy Endress, Dean of Students, representatives from ASPSU voiced their concerns regarding the administration’s decision.

As a result of this meeting, another meeting was scheduled for 4:00 p.m. Friday with members of the ASPSU Elections Committee and the University Administration. There was also an open forum held earlier, at noon, on Friday with Endress and any interested parties to discuss the decision to cancel elections.

ASPSU is continuing discussions with the university to find a quick resolution that is acceptable to all involved parties.