Yuba College student government’s five day campaigning period was highlighted Thursday April 17, by speeches from the candidates running for next year’s offices. Given to a small audience of five students, in the Campus Life Plaza, the campaign speeches were delivered by Yaneli Garcia, running for senator; Zachary Dionne, running un-opposed for Vice President; Kim Howitt, running for president and running un-opposed for District Student Trustee; and Monica Kurowski, running for president. Amanda Clikenbeard is running for the position of senator, but she did not give a speech Thursday. Elections for the student government, named the Associated Students of Yuba College, will be held the week of April 21 through April 25. In her speech, Howitt brought up the issue of the state budget crisis and the effects that it could have upon student activities on the Yuba College campus. She emphasized that because of this she felt that next year’s ASYC administration needs to “make some changes in the way we raise money.” She stated that if elected to the position of president, she would make a prioritized list of events, ensuring that the items on the top of the list received the most money. She said that she would also attempt to bring together college departments, such as drama and music, showcasing each one. In an interview later, she identified her three main goals as being fundraising, creating a recycling department, and providing better entertainment for students. She stated, “The new ASYC will support programs and create new ones and make students aware of them.” Kurowski, also running for president, followed Howitt in making a speech, She began by stating “We want to be a strong college of strong students.” She stated that she plans to do this by strengthening students rather than giving orders. In an interview after the speech, Kurowski outlined her three major goals for next year’s administration as increasing student involvement, providing more activities for students, increasing fundraising efforts. She also felt that she could tackle the lack of publicity of events, an issue for which this year’s ASYC administration has been greatly criticized about, by making signs that stand out and telling everyone in all her classes about activities and other events. Dionne gave a speech, although he is running un-opposed for vice president, urging the student of Yuba College to exercise their right to vote in the upcoming elections. He also stated, “I don’t want to change the world I just want to change Yuba College.” Garcia, running for senator, speech also emphasized the need for every student to vote. Also running for the position of senator is Amanda Clinkenbeard. The ASYC bylaws permits one senator per 1,000 students to be elected at Yuba College.
Yuba College students are ready for a change in officers and policies of the ASYC. Yuba College freshman Dan Martin has been frustrated this year with the lack of information that has coming out of the ASYC and the students’ lack of knowledge concerning student events. He stated, “Next year’s officers need to make themselves known to the students, so that if students do have ideas for the school, they can tell (the representatives). They should let others know who they are.”
Freshman Stephanie Stockton agreed, saying that the biggest issues for next years candidates are “increasing student involvement in school activities and publicizing school activities so the people will know when they are.”
Freshman Jennifer Dodson said that in voting for next year’s candidates she is looking for “someone who is responsible and takes the time to know what students want.” The voting for the 2003/ 2004 ASYC candidates will occur Monday April 21 from 10am to 5pm, Tuesday April 22 from 10am to 2pm and later from 4pm to 7:00pm, and Wednesday April 23rd from 11am to 7pm. All Yuba College students will be able to vote at those times in the Cafeteria with a valid picture I.D. The election results will be posted Friday April 25, at 10am outside of the Campus Life office and on various campus bulletin boards.
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