ASUCC leaders spend as elections near
The ASUCC Student Leadership team, in an attempt to spend down approximately $60,000 in student activity fees saved over the last few years, has finished voting to spend over $18,000 in student projects and is now beginning the process of putting together the student government election for 2014- 2015.
On April 21, ASUCC Student Leadership voted to fund the following:
- $7,500 for the Environmental Sustainability Club to spend on soil, straw, rain collection equipment, a compost project, plants, tools, and other expenses.
- $6,000 on pool supplies
- $7,800 for an indoor rock climbing wall.
- $1,500 toward providing picnic benches and installation materials on campus and at the Wooley Center.
- $200 for the May 22 “College For a Day” event in order to supply pizza and drinks to participants.
- $500 to be donated to the Sexual Assault Awareness Month underwear drive.
Three other proposed projects were not passed at this time, due to questions:
- Equipment for the fitness center
- Scoring tables for the gym
- Startup investment for baseball.
ASUCC is also getting ready to hold elections for the 2014-2015 school year.
Currently, seven students have applied for the five student government positions in preparation for the election.
Three positions are currently running uncontested: vice president, activities officer and public relations officer.
Students who missed the April 25 application deadline and are interested in a leadership position can apply as a write-in by May 12.
A candidate forum will be held May 16 at noon in the campus center cafeteria.
Elections will be May 20 and 21 at the center of campus from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
As Sarah Gordon, ASUCC president, and Susie Day, ASUCC public relations officer, near the end of their terms, they reflect on their time in office and offer advice on getting involved in student government.
Why should a student get involved with ASUCC?
Gordon: I think that students should get involved with ASUCC because no matter how much experience you’ve had in leadership, community service or teamwork, you WILL be challenged in the team, and you will grow and gain from it. My background is really strong in those three things, and this was still a learning experience.
Day: Students should get involved because they will have a real means to change the way the campus works, to make improvements or to influence the minds of the administrators (as much as that is possible!). Student Government has money and a good relationship with most parts of the college, and this means something when trying to accomplish something on campus.
Gordon: Also, it pays for up to 12 credits of tuition, which has been really nice for me. It’s helping me while I’m helping others and I love that.
What was your fondest memory of being a part of the ASUCC leadership team?
Day: My fondest memory was either staying up to 2 a.m. playing Cards against Humanity or eating waaaaay too much sugar at the fall leadership conference.
Gordon: I also really enjoyed the retreat that we went on in the summer. We all bonded and came together, and I think that was really important for us.
Day: Another thing that I have found very rewarding is the connections that I have made with the faculty and staff on campus. I have worked with many of them on projects and on committee. Student government will give you back absolutely what you put into it.
Gordon: When we were doing the Thanksgiving food drive, and I was helping people take their food baskets to their cars, they were so grateful and happy that we were doing this. It was such a great feeling to know that you really made a difference in someone’s life, especially someone who you go to school with and is part of your community.
What was the hardest part?
Gordon: The hardest part was incorporating the hours into my school schedule and still staying completely on top of all of my responsibilities, whether they be for school or for ASUCC. It’s hard to be focused on one or the other.
Day: The hardest part so far has been getting people excited about what we are doing. Oh, and the long hours. Last term, I was at school about 50 hours a week, then I got to go home and do homework.
Gordon: Also, since our team was so small this year, sometimes we weren’t able to be as thorough as possible when planning events.