ASUCC seeking applicants
A chance for students to play an active role in leadership
Spring is finally here and with it brings a chance for students to engage in developing leadership skills while serving the campus community by running for student government. Applications for ASUCC officer positions are now available. The applications can be picked up at the student government offices located in the Campus Center Lounge. Applications must be turned into ASUCC offices by April 15, 2011 at noon.
Students will get many things from being an officer such as learning valuable leadership skills, conflict resolution skills, and planning strategies, according to Marjan Coester, director for Student Life. They will get a “behind the scenes” look at how college works. “It’s a safe environment to try things out” says Coester.
Any applications turned in after the deadline will not be on the ballot, but students can write-in candidates. Write-ins are candidates whose name does not appear on the ballot and so must be written on the ballot by the voters. Beginning April 18, all candidates will meet with the elections chair, receive the Candidate Handbook and will go over the rules the elections chair for campaigning.
Candidates must attend two ASUCC student council meetings in the current year no later than May 9, 2011. All of these requirements must be met prior to campaigning.
Candidates can have petitions signed after they have been confirmed and trained by the ASUCC elections chair.
Candidates for offices will be presented to the campus on May 6, from 12 – 1 p.m. in the Campus Center Cafeteria. Candidates will have the opportunity to make a brief statement about their interest in student government and questions from the audience will be taken.
The following positions are open to candidates: president, vice-president, public relations officer, business manager, and activities officer.
The president represents the Associated Students of Umpqua Community College organization, attends board of trustees meetings and facilitates that everything is running smoothly.
The vice-president is in charge of elections, helps with local city and county elections and organizes lobbying trips to the State Capitol.
The public relations officer is in charge of publicizing and marketing any activities, meetings or fundraisers ASUCC will be having.
The business manager sets the agenda for the student council meetings, transcribes at meetings, manages the food pantry on campus and reviews the ASUCC budgets with Marjan. The ASUCC oversees an annual budget of $24,000 from the college. An estimated $93,000 budget was allocated for this year that consists of monies collected through previous student activities fees. About $60,000 of the $93,000 has funded a large range of activities and special projects for the campus.
The activities officer is in charge of organizing activities such as the Study In offered to help students prepare for finals.
Senators help support student government activities and are elected every quarter.
Students in all positions except the senators are compensated with merit awards which pay for tuition up to 12 credits. Senators receive $150 per quarterly statement, excluding summer term.
If only one person runs for a position, he or she must receive at least twenty votes to be elected. If a candidate receives less than twenty votes, he or she won’t be elected, and the officer below that position will fill that office. The greatest concern regarding the elections is not having any applicants to fill a particular position, according to Coester. But there is a backup plan for ASUCC; a student is appointed to the vacant position.
These positions do come with a lot of responsibility. “Expect to work hard” says ASUCC Vice President Cody Norris. If an officer isn't complying with the set responsibilities, he or she can be placed on temporary suspension or probation. If there is no compliance, the officer can be removed from his or her position. This also applies to academic performance, meaning officer G.P.A.s must remain above 2.5.
ASUCC’s main focus is on student activities and on the goal of officers being a “voice” for all students, according to Coester.
Current ASUCC Vice President Cody Norris offers some advice for students interested in applying: “They should do it for themselves and other students.” Norris says that working closely with faculty, staff, board members and students has been his favorite part of being Vice President. Norris was one of the committee members who assisted in the process for acquiring the new UCC president.
The clock is ticking for those that want to apply. Candidates will campaign from April 26 to May 11. Polls will be open to vote May 10 -11, from 9 - 6 p.m. in the center of Campus.
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