The Associated Students of Washington State University serves as the government for the general student body. In 1915 the Associated Students of the State College of Washington was founded. When the college changed its name in 1959 to Washington State University, the association changed its name to the Associated Students of Washington State University (ASWSU). Prior to 1968 the dominant student organizational structure was constituted by the class governments. Each class organized its own class government upon entrance to the university. In 1968 the system of student class governments was abandoned and the responsibility of the ASWSU was enlarged to encompass every aspect of student government.

The ASWSU functions as the central office for student interests and concerns. These issues have included 18-year-old voting rights, WSU facilities planning, the draft, civil rights, women's rights, the Viet Nam War, grading systems, curriculum controversies, sports, community, and environmental concerns. The ASWSU and its president act as representatives for the student body to the general public, university administration, the legislature, the community, and national leaders. ASWSU's complex structure is composed of numerous standing committees and commissions concerned with on-going interests. Additionally, ad hoc committees are frequently established to deal with timely issues and specific problems or investigations.

The executive branch of the organization usually consists of a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Administrative Assistant. At times, these titles have changed and specific functions and responsibilities have been shuffled. Through the Activities Center the ASWSU serves as the student body coordinator for all major student activities. The ASWSU President, as the elected representative of the whole student body, has a great deal of interaction with the Board of Control, and later, the Assembly. In 1970 the constitution was changed and the organizational structure modified by replacing the functionally limited Board of Control with the larger, more representative Assembly.