ASG debate, elections provide opportunity for involvement
The Traveler Editorial Board
Issue date: 3/30/09 Section: Opinion
Campaigning will begin today for Associated Student Government president, vice president, secretary and treasurer candidates.
For the UA students who already have experienced an ASG election on campus, they know to look forward to much-chalked sidewalks, free food and colorful signs.
But more important than any free hot dog or campaign sticker is a debate the ASG will host among candidates 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Union Connections Lounge.
This event offers a vital opportunity for students to hear the questions they want answered - to know what these candidates have the ability to do for the UA community next year if they are elected.
An excellent example of the ASG's ability to significantly impact student life on this campus is the UA Student Poll, which President Carter Ford, Vice President Jong Shin and other ASG executives initiated last semester to gather opinion on campus issues, student fees, Registered Student Organizations, parking violations and more.
The poll, though not perfect, provided data that Ford and Shin used to determine what initiatives to continue pursuing and what issues to put on the back burner.
To continue effectively converting student opinion into policy, students' must let their voices be heard. But that's not always the case.
In September's senate elections, for example, 1,833 students voted to elect senators for the 35 vacant seats, and though that number was higher than it was the previous year, it's still clearly not representative of the UA student body.
Beginning with Wednesday's debate, the upcoming ASG election will provide students the chance to get excited about and involved in student government beyond joining Facebook groups and accepting free campaign buttons. We hope they take advantage of the opportunity.
For the UA students who already have experienced an ASG election on campus, they know to look forward to much-chalked sidewalks, free food and colorful signs.
But more important than any free hot dog or campaign sticker is a debate the ASG will host among candidates 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Union Connections Lounge.
This event offers a vital opportunity for students to hear the questions they want answered - to know what these candidates have the ability to do for the UA community next year if they are elected.
An excellent example of the ASG's ability to significantly impact student life on this campus is the UA Student Poll, which President Carter Ford, Vice President Jong Shin and other ASG executives initiated last semester to gather opinion on campus issues, student fees, Registered Student Organizations, parking violations and more.
The poll, though not perfect, provided data that Ford and Shin used to determine what initiatives to continue pursuing and what issues to put on the back burner.
To continue effectively converting student opinion into policy, students' must let their voices be heard. But that's not always the case.
In September's senate elections, for example, 1,833 students voted to elect senators for the 35 vacant seats, and though that number was higher than it was the previous year, it's still clearly not representative of the UA student body.
Beginning with Wednesday's debate, the upcoming ASG election will provide students the chance to get excited about and involved in student government beyond joining Facebook groups and accepting free campaign buttons. We hope they take advantage of the opportunity.
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