How many of you know about our student government? How many really know what they do and can do for us? Many students do not give our school government, the Associated Students of Yuba College, a second thought. Instead we are busy trying to keep up with school and what goes on in our personal lives, but are there many of us that are losing out on a big part of our higher education. I’m not talking about traditional learning in a classroom but first hand, real world experience in local politics and the planning of both large and small events. Whether your interested in politics or the planning of events on campus there are many different ways to be a part of the ASYC.
If it is politics that you’re interested in then the ASYC is definitely where you belong. This is not high school student government, the ASYC actually has a real say and impact on the Yuba Community College District and the policies it implements. George Cheso, the ASYC President says that he is looking for those that are politically motivated to join the ASYC and help the organization stand up for your fellow students. An an example of ASYC helping students is when President George Cheso helped to get the student’s voice heard when they were ticketed for parking pass violations on September 2nd.
It is possible that politics are not exactly your cup of tea, but planning and organizing campus events might be. If this sounds like something your interested in then the ASYC has a place for you too. Planning the events on campus such as the Earth Day celebration, monthly movie nights and similar events that happen throughout the year. To get to know the ASYC better you need to check out to check out their blog at, keepyubacollegeweird.blogspot.com.
Our ASYC is already working on the anticipated return of the Annual Halloween Movie Night, which will feature the cult classic, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. We will have more details on this upcoming showing as soon as they are made available.
Then there is the flea market that the ASYC and George Cheso are looking to start. According to Cheso, the ASYC is looking at creating the first student flea market where vendors from throughout the community can rent a space. If this becomes as big as other community college campuses then it has the potential to drastically increase the funds at our school and those funds go directly to our own ASYC.
Regardless of what your area of interest may be there are benefits for most everyone when they become involved with the ASYC. Members of the council are given $250 gift certificates for use at the school’s bookstore after participating for a full semester in ASYC activities and a letter of interest that must be submitted to the Campus Life Director. Besides the monetary benefits are the benefits that you bring to your college career. If you are thinking about attending a graduate school after your initial degree or a top tier school, it can be helpful when involvement in student politics is added to your resume.
If any of this sounds interesting to you or you think that the ASYC can help propel your college career, you must first contact Miriam Root of Campus Life and ask for an application to request a petition for vacancy or you can go to yc.yccd.edu/campus/student-government.aspx. You must also have at least a 2.0 G.P.A., be enrolled in at least five units, and be in good standing with the college. There will not be an election for the position but instead the application is turned over to the ASYC President and if he sees no issue with you filling the position, you could be the next Senator at Yuba College.
Currently there are only two senator positions filled out of a possible seventy and the Treasurer and Business Director positions are still open. If you would rather see what the ASYC is like before dedicating yourself, they meet in room 303 in the Student Services building at noon every Thursday.
If you are reading this and thinking, “maybe, I’ll think about it”, then really think about it and what it can do for both you, the college you attend and your community. Maybe it will help put you on a new path towards politics or event planning, or maybe it will just give you a good experience and new friends.
This article appears in the Fall 2011 edition of the Prospector.
I have been attending Yuba College for since Fall of 2010 and have been on the The Prospector staff for two semesters. As a Political science major, I am interested in every aspect of politics, especially how our society responds to politics and politics to society.
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