Less than 10 percent of HSU students voted in last year’s Associated Students election. Current Associated Students President Brandon Chapin ran without any competition.
Changing the status quo may seem impossible in the wake of recent budget cuts and program eliminations, but every student can take action by voting or running in next week’s Associated Students election.
Five candidates hope to be president next year. Along with the Associated Students positions, there are four initiatives on the ballot. Three of these address proposed fee increases, and the other is for a smoking ban on campus.
Elections Commissioner Rina Ferrario said the election will be more competitive than in past years.
“There’s more awareness this year,” said Ferrario. “It’s highly unlikely someone will win with a majority.” In that case, a run-off election will take place the following week.
Ferrario stressed the importance of voting. “Students are upset. This is their opportunity right here,” she said. “[Associated Students representatives] hold a lot of seats on administrative boards that make major decisions.”
The Academic Senate is one of those boards. Three Associated Students members represent the students and account for over 10 percent of the Senate’s vote.
A higher voter turnout would also show the administration that students want a say, said Ferrario. A good election year usually has a 20 to 25 percent turnout.
Associated Students presidential candidate and political science major Ravin Craig attributed the low voter turnout to low visibility. “Not a lot of people know what AS does,” said Craig. “AS needs to be more visible and held accountable for its actions.”
HSU freshman Susan Lin agreed. “I should be more informed,” she said. “But, I haven’t seen AS’ face.”
To do more than vote, it is still possible to run for an Associated Students position. The deadline for write-in candidates is this Friday. “Write-in candidates are looking really promising,” said Ferrario.
Students can make informed decisions about the initiatives and candidates by reading the voter’s guide. It is available online and in the Associated Students office. To learn more, you can attend the candidate forums. On April 14, the college representative candidates will be on the quad at noon. The presidential and vice presidential candidates will speak on April 15 at the same time and place.
Online voting runs from April 20-22 on the Associated Students web page. There will also be a link on HSU’s home page.
Craig urged everyone to get out and vote. “Our campus has a struggle ahead of it. We really need to band together.”
http://www.humboldt.edu/~hsuas
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