Beginning your journey at University of the Pacific is a thrilling adventure, packed with new opportunities, experiences and friendships galore. With such an enthusiastic and diverse community within and outside campus walls, where do you start? That’s where ASuop, the voice of the students, comes in. 

The Associated Students of University of the Pacific (ASuop) is Pacific’s student government and programming body. This governance was established to ensure the student experience and voice are considered when making decisions for the university. 

How ASuop serves you

1. Student Representation 

ASuop’s primary focus is representing your interests and needs in university affairs. The student government creates and maintains a close relationship with the vice president of Student Life as well as the Stockton community. 

To ensure the university is keeping students at the center, ASuop addresses issues that affect the well-being and care of students daily. This can range from making sure areas are accessible to those with disabilities, addressing quality and inclusivity of food choices, providing sanitary products around campus and plenty more. ASuop’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusivity is at the forefront of its work. 

To get in touch with ASuop, you can stop by its office on the second floor of the DUC. You can hold office by running during elections or applying to its hired positions via Handshake. Visit ASuop’s website for more details. 

2. Events and programming 

ASuop’s Arts & Entertainment division organizes some of the biggest events on campus. You can kick back before finals with Destress Fest, enjoy the summer weather at Oasis or turn up with your friends to see big-name artists at Tigerlands. ASuop hosts a wide range of events throughout the year, paving the way for new friendships and core memories. 

3. Student services 

In addition to acting as a voice for students and hosting fun events, ASuop also provides services and funding to help student-run organizations and individuals during their time at Pacific. It has a creative department that provides marketing services such as photography, videography and graphic design to promote club events. 

Students who want to help fund their club events, travel to professional conferences and get help covering exam fees can also reach out to ASuop for assistance. It also provides access to the New York Times and academic resources for research.  

Check out funding options on ASuop’s website. 

Your peers from ASuop have established a new fund to help students cover fees associated with graduate school exams and materials.

Under the Career and Graduate Testing Fund, currently enrolled Pacific students based on the Stockton Campus can apply on ASuop’s website for one reimbursement up to $250 per academic year.

“This is about giving students financial, tangible support in order to continue with their career,” said ASuop Vice President Brooke Tran ’23.

As a first-generation student, Tran understands the financial challenges some of her fellow students face. She brings that experience to the table to create new policies, such as the new fund.

“I’m also in the process of applying for grad school,” Tran said. “So, this [expense] is kind of a barrier for me even though I work part time as a student. If this is hard for me to shell out money, maybe other students are experiencing the same.”

The new program was established in July with unused funds from ASuop’s conference funding. Both programs are funded by ASuop fees paid by Stockton Campus-based students each semester. The Career and Graduate Testing Fund has the potential to grow bigger in the future depending on demand.

“We can’t promise that every student [who applies for reimbursement] can be helped,” said Tran. “This is the pilot year, so based on how many students request funds, we will likely adjust to accommodate for the following year.”

The fund is open to students applying for graduate schools, but also to those starting a professional career. If you are taking the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), the Dental Admission Test (DAT) or a similar exam, keep the receipt and submit a request for reimbursement.

Some examples of career-related expenses also eligible for reimbursements are teaching credential fees for educators or audition recording fees for musicians.