March 7, 2006
OPINIONSLegend's View:
Election is chance for ASMCC to break old habits
Redemption.
That should be the main goal of this year’s student body elections.
The election that took place in the 2004-05 school year was an embarrassment to the school as well as the candidates running for office.
When ASMCC (Associated Students of Mesa Community College) President Jeff Linford was elected in the spring semester of 2005 there was confusion and chaos on campus because no one was aware that elections were taking place. Flyers, buttons and posters appeared overnight and students were expected to make an “informed decision” only a few days later.
Disregarding the fact that many students on campus are not even aware that a student government exists, student body elections should be a prominent event that consumes the campus physically and forces students to take notice.
It is no secret that only a handful of students vote; and this is the problem that ASMCC needs to focus on for the upcoming elections.
The election process needs to be an activity that goes on for weeks, not days. Students need time to absorb information about each candidate, to learn about their different view points and to determine who will do the best job in representing Mesa Community College in the following year.
In addition, student body elections are not just about the elections themselves; they are about the morale of the college. Despite efforts from Linford and other executive members of ASMCC at sporting events and other activities on campus, school spirit is dead.
Student body elections are a great way to boost school morale and raise awareness of ASMCC and activities on campus. Regardless of the fact that this campus caters mostly to students wanting to move on to a university in two years or less, the government should still be trying to get every student involved to enhance the “college experience.”
ASMCC has an opportunity to redeem themselves this year by getting students involved in the election process and raising awareness. Executive members need to get multiple applicants for different positions to ensure that students have a choice as to who will represent the student body; and so that the winner is not selected by default.
Just as it is encouraged for teenagers of age to vote in presidential elections, MCC students should be encouraged for weeks prior to the election day to vote.
Students need to be aware of who is being put in these leadership positions in order to make ASMCC a stronger government for students.