2008 Woodie Awards
Turnout Low for Valley Voters
Brad Taylor
Issue date: 4/25/07 Section: News
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The elections were held April 17 and 18 in Monarch Square where 700 students cast their votes for new representatives. Only about 4 percent of Valley's estimated 17,000 students took the time and initiative to pick their student government.
During last Monday's candidate forum there were only about eight students in Monarch Square listening and asking questions of those running for office. The issue of student participation and awareness are key problems that the new president hopes to shine a light on by focusing on getting the word out on events well before they take place, and letting students know they have a voice in school's government.
"I actually feel like we need to publicize better," said Kiridjian. "Looking at the election, and looking at the number of students we have compared to the number who voted, it's ridiculous. I feel like a lot of the students don't know about the events to participate."
One candidate seemed pleased with the election considering a limited time frame.
"I was excited because we were up like 300 votes," said economics major and treasurer candidate Noel Hollowell. "And we only had four days to campaign so I think we reached a lot of people, I just wish we had more time."
The Executive Council officers are in charge of representing the students concerns and giving them a voice by actively taking part in the college's shared governing body. Those officers participate on college committees such as budgets, college council, curriculum, instructional programs, matriculation, student services, and technology.
Some of the events the ASU has sponsored this school year have been the book exchange program, the petition to lower text book prices, the fine arts festival and the student trip to help housing projects in New Orleans over spring break.
"It is bad that a lot of students don't even know who the ASU are," said Kiridjian. "We are your student government, and a lot of students have great ideas but they just don't know where to go and I just really want us to be out there letting them know what we are all about."
The new ASU are President Mari Kiridjian; Vice President Jamoceo Black; Treasurer Hayk Galstyan; Athletics Commissioner Diana P. Jimenez; Public Relations Commissioner Jorge L. Resendez; and Commissioner of Student and Social Affairs Armen Melikyan.
A referendum to raise the ASU per semester fee from $7 to $10 failed with 66% of voters opting to keep the amount as it is.
The Executive ASU holds weekly meetings Tuesday at 12:45pm in Campus Center 104 and is open to all Valley students.
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