New ASUI Leadership Ready for Change:
A Legacy of Leading Begins for ASUI President and Vice President

Written by Karen Hunt

Time stood still as their hearts raced, waiting for the final announcement. Final questions lingered in their minds: Did they campaign enough? Should they have spoken at one more forum or talked to one more set of people?

“And the new Associated Students of the University of Idaho president and vice president are…” boomed a voice leading the Associated Students of the University of Idaho –or ASUI – senate meeting, “Stephen Parrott and Samantha Storms.”

A wave of relief rushed over Parrott and Storms as the last couple of months campaigning earned them top spots on ASUI.

“I was really excited to see all of our hard work pay off,” says Storms.

Hard work may have earned honors for Parrott and Storms, but the work has really only just started.

As the new ASUI president, Parrott will represent the student body on the University’s president's cabinet, and he plans to create a stronger academic advising program. While advisors provide valuable information to students about which classes fulfill requirements for their degree, Parrott believes advisors should become mentors to students – not only talking about classes, but preparing students for what comes next.

“I would like to educate students and advisors on how to effectively work together, to not only provide information about classes, but also be someone for students to build a relationship with that will guide and help them through their years at Idaho,” says Parrott.

As ASUI vice president, Storms will supervise ASUI legislative staff and she will oversee the ASUI senate meetings.

“As vice president, it is my job to hold everyone, especially senators, accountable,” says Storms.

Every ASUI senator is required to visit three or four living groups on campus every other Monday, to give a detailed report about ASUI senate meetings and university announcements. Storms says this is especially important to students because it can be a wonderful communication tool. However, many students do not take advantage of this and other communication tools used by ASUI.

“If people want to see change, they have to do something about it,” says Storms.

And change is something both Storms and Parrott would like to encourage. While all senate meetings are open to the student public, most students do not attend them. Parrott says contrary to popular belief, student input extends beyond ASUI senate meetings.

“One thing Samantha and I have done is remind everyone that ASUI has an open-door policy,” said Parrott.

He added it is important for students to talk with members in ASUI about issues that may be affecting them. Sometimes ASUI members may not realize there is an issue until they are approached by students, who are welcomed to share ideas or concerns.

“Student voices have to be incorporated into the decision-making process because it’s their money we’re spending,” says Storms.

On the other side, Parrott and Storms say it is equally important that ASUI communicates what is happening at the University and what ASUI is doing in response to the student body.

“ASUI is here to serve the students and benefit them,” says Parrott.

Parrott admits the University has seen some challenging times in the past year, but now it is time to take advantage of those challenges. He encourages every student to be involved.

“Stay positive,” says Parrott. “We need to keep moving forward. It’s going to be a good year.”