The Associated Students of the University of Alaska Fairbanks is comprised of all students enrolled in 3 credits or more, run by a student executive and legislative branch dedicated to investigating and advocating student issues, for the betterment of all students on and off campus. 

 

The Associated Students of the University of Alaska Fairbanks, or ASUAF, is YOUR Student Government. The function of ASUAF and all of its officials is to represent and act on behalf of the students of the University of Alaska Fairbanks and their best interest.

 

• To provide the means for responsible and effective student participation in the organization and control of student affairs
• To provide an official and representative student organization with powers to receive complaints, investigate student problems, and participate in decisions involving the student body
• To take action in the best interest of the student body and the university community
• To provide an official voice through which student opinion may be expressed
• To provide means whereby students may gain experience and training in responsible political participation and community leadership
• To foster awareness of the students’ role in campus, local, state, and national and international communities
• To provide services and activities for the students and the University community at large

The first students stepped on what was then the Alaska College of Agriculture and School of Mines in 1922. These six students, including seven faculty members, formed original members of a student body that was dedicated to higher education and looking out for one another. As more students enrolled, this camaraderie between them grew enough to form their own student run organization in 1923. They named themselves the Associated Students of the University of Alaska, and chose John Sexton Shanly as their first Student Body President. The student government was present during the expansion of the student population under UA President William Wood and served as a valuable asset to the university administration regarding student issues and student engagement. ASUA was present while the Alaska State Constitution was being drafted in 1956 in what would become Constitution Hall, then the student union building. The student government was also instrumental in getting various buildings and programs established for the benefit of the student body including the Wood Center, Student Recreation Center, and and Student Support Services. In recent years, the student government had to change their name due to the expansion of campuses throughout Alaska and have added ‘Fairbanks’ to specify the constituency that we currently represent.