USU Eastern Votes to Join USUSA,
Uniting the USU Student Government Statewide

By Max Roberts | First published: October 6, 2021 | Last updated: October 7, 2021

Students at Utah State University Eastern voted to adopt the USU Student Association (USUSA) constitution on Wednesday, choosing to formally join the statewide student government. The passage of the referendum marks a major milestone in the organization’s history, which will now represent all students at each of the university’s 30 campuses and centers.

“I am excited that we have voted to pass this change that will greatly improve how the USU Eastern student government can function and serve the student body,” USU Eastern Student Body President Bryson Pugh said. “We have increased the opportunities for our students, both current and future, and now have a direct line of communication and representation with our statewide partners.”

The former College of Eastern Utah joined the USU system in 2010 to become USU Eastern, the largest of the university’s statewide campuses and centers. However, the Eastern Utah Student Association (EUSA) continued to operate separately from USUSA, which currently represents the Logan main campus and all other statewide locations. Students voted 113-25 in favor of officially merging EUSA with USUSA, bringing all USU students under one student government for the first time.

“Building a more harmonious and effective government for students at all of our campuses has been and must continue to be one of our top priorities,” USUSA President Lucas Stevens said. “Our statewide student body is unique, and its diversity strengthens our organization. We are thrilled to welcome USU Eastern students to our association.”

Logan and statewide students adopted a new constitution in the 2021 USUSA general elections to unite the organization’s top leadership positions and increase collaboration between the Logan and statewide campus leaders. Eastern students’ decision to join USUSA will further the organization’s goal for a more inclusive student government.

With their adoption of the new constitution, Eastern students will join the rest of the student body in electing the USUSA Executive Leadership Board, which will include a student body president, executive vice president and student advocate vice president. Rather than electing separate executives, the introduction of the board provides that Logan and statewide students will choose a single USUSA presidency to oversee the student government.

Additionally, Eastern students will now help elect their respective college senators, who represent each of the university colleges on the Academic Senate. Price students will also join other statewide campuses and centers in electing service region councils to oversee campus-specific issues and programming, which are led by service region vice presidents sitting on the Statewide Executive Council. Logan students will maintain their executive council to oversee student life on the main campus.

“The decision of Eastern students to join USUSA will empower their student leaders to best serve and represent the unique needs of their campus,” USUSA Statewide Campus President Braxton Evans said. “As representatives of USU’s statewide campuses and centers, we are tasked with addressing the diverse needs of and issues affecting statewide students. The voices of USU Eastern are essential to the statewide experience, and we are excited to have them on our team.”

The new provisions of the USUSA constitution, including Eastern’s adoption, will be first implemented during the 2022 USUSA general elections. Students elected in February and March will then inaugurate their new positions in April.

Incumbent officers from around the state are currently working with professional staff members to review and pass new bylaws for the next student government. More information about the implementation of the new USUSA constitution and the 2022 elections will be released in November.

“From Price to Logan, we are all proud to be students of Utah State,” Pugh said. “We look forward to what our new student government will do for our students here at Eastern as well as those all around the state.”

Visit involvement.usu.edu/constitution for more information about the referendum.

About USUSA

The Utah State University Student Association (USUSA) is the hub for student involvement and leadership at Utah State University. As the student government elected by the USU student body, the association works to improve the quality of campus life and enhance student wellbeing. USUSA is an organization made by the students, for the students, and because of students – every student at USU is a member of the association and can actively participate in all activities, committees, clubs, events and initiatives.