History

      The Association of Student Representatives (ASR) originally started as two separate groups, the Student Association and the Association of Residential Hall Students (ARHS). These two groups combined forces in 1995 to form ASR. The Student Association was founded in 1922, although there was probably another form of student government preceding that. Through the twenties and into the fifties, the Student Association was responsible for organizing campus events, as TIGER does now. Not much else is documented. In the fifties, the Student Association took on a more governmental structure, and managed issues such as hazing, both inside and outside of the Greek system.

       During the 1960’s, Trinity University’s Student Association was influenced by the trend of politically active youth throughout the country, and an active year of student political movements resulted. TUVAC and the Student Activities Board (now TIGER) separated from the Student Association.

       The seventies were pretty slow due to the anti-government attitude of the country during that decade, as well as the interim of presidency in the University. The Student Association consisted of only five senators and a president who resigned in the face of a senate no confidence vote. This president was replaced by the chair. As a response to the lack of organization and student leadership in SA, the Association of Residential Hall Students formed during this period, replacing the previously segregated Men’s and Women’s Dorm Councils. During the late seventies, the position of the president returned, both in SA and at Trinity University. This era consisted of better relationships with the administration and more activism on campus, despite SA’s 1% allocation of the student activities fund. It was during the seventies that SA implemented course evaluations that we still see at the end of every semester at Trinity.

       During the eighties, the Trinity University Student Association moved to dealing with issues that more directly affected students. They worked with Greek Council, the student publications, TUVAC, music organizations, performance groups, and even intramural programs. Alcohol awareness became an issue during the eighties, and a shuttle, sponsored by the Student Association, ran students to and from parties during this decade, until the drinking age was changed to twenty one. After this change, usage waned and drivers became more and more difficult to find. A proposition for wet halls took effect in August of 1986. However, neither the sale nor the advertisement of alcohol was permitted on campus until March of 1987 when a student bar was opened. In 1984-85, the judicial system was reviewed and restructured, and ARHS and Student Association joined forces. In 1985-1986, the student body protested the lost squatter privileges to the “best dorms on campus” when the Calvert, Miller, Winn, and Witt were converted into the Freshman Quad. January 1989 saw the opening of Prassel parking garage, as well as the abolition of payment to the SA officers. This year also started the project of gaining a phone system for residential halls.

       The 90’s started off with students protesting the end of the Division I Tennis Program. SA debated a resolution opposing the Gulf War because the student body felt that SA had overstepped boundaries with off campus issues. The allocation of the Student Activities Fee dropped from 5% to 4% as a “punishment” for defiant disregard of the administration’s prohibition of the publishing of “The Register.” 1990-91 started the requirement that all students live on campus for the first three years. This requirement was passed onto 1991-92 with only slight objection from the student body. In 1992-1993, the coffeehouse was opened. SA lobbied for halls to stay open in Spring Break, as well as the right of students to have a representative at the Committee of the Board of Trustees’ Meetings. The other half of the Student Association, ARHS, has no documentation before the 90’s, although it appears to have been very active during this time period. In 1993-1996 a campus watch program was instituted, as was recycling. Microwaves, vacuum cleaners, washers and dryers, and cable television were lobbied and brought about by ARHS. Issues begun by ARHS are still seen today, such as the recognition of Martin Luther King Day as a school holiday, the ownership of a victory bell, improved hours at the Grill in Coates, bench swings on campus, lights on the volleyball courts and tennis courts, self defense classes, and more vegetarian options at Mabee and Coates. In 1996, SA fused with ARHS and officially today’s current ASR. Projects pursued by ASR since that time include swipe card access for dorms, online registration for classes, student involvement with curriculum changes, increased parking, and campus intranet.

       The rest of ASR’s history is still in the making, and our organization welcomes you to be a part of that history today.