Spring Break
ASI elections are on the way; do we care?
State Hornet Staff
Issue date: 4/16/08 Section: Opinion
Let's be honest with ourselves: There is limited interest in the upcoming Associated
Students Inc. election. The last ASI election produced only a seven percent voter turnout among students and five elected officials who had to step down after their grades suffered. The next batch of ASI representatives will have to fight potential budget cuts and do its part to fulfill Sacramento State's Destination 2010 platform.
It will not be enough for ASI to merely be more visible on campus. ASI will need to be an integral part of any movement that will attempt to fight the cuts to the California State University budget. The members of ASI should prepare themselves for a hectic job that will demand most of their free time.
The future is always uncertain, but one thing is not: Miguel Cervantes will be the next president of ASI. As the only candidate available, he likely get The Hornet's endorsement. It is highly likely that the lack of choice in the upcoming
election will excuse students from showing up to vote. On the other hand, students may be more involved with politics this time around because it is a national election for president as well. The ASI election my see a higher turnout simply because students view it as a practice of sorts for the national elections in November.
Students at a commuter campus are not apt to get involved with politics at school. Many students at Sacramento State are just there for the diploma. Others have trouble showing up to class regularly. This is not the ideal mixture for interest in extracurricular activities.
The voter turnout at the upcoming ASI elections will help serve as an indicator
for how seriously students on campus are taking their chances of eliminating the proposed budget cuts, as well as their interest in the future of Sac State. An optimist would say that ASI has grown by leaps and bounds since its inception over five decades ago and its members should be proud of the work they do. A pessimist would say that ASI elections are irrelevant and student government is better at padding the résumés of its members than serving the campus. Chances are, most of the students at Sac State are pessimists.
The State Hornet staff can be reached at opinion@statehornet.com.
Students Inc. election. The last ASI election produced only a seven percent voter turnout among students and five elected officials who had to step down after their grades suffered. The next batch of ASI representatives will have to fight potential budget cuts and do its part to fulfill Sacramento State's Destination 2010 platform.
It will not be enough for ASI to merely be more visible on campus. ASI will need to be an integral part of any movement that will attempt to fight the cuts to the California State University budget. The members of ASI should prepare themselves for a hectic job that will demand most of their free time.
The future is always uncertain, but one thing is not: Miguel Cervantes will be the next president of ASI. As the only candidate available, he likely get The Hornet's endorsement. It is highly likely that the lack of choice in the upcoming
election will excuse students from showing up to vote. On the other hand, students may be more involved with politics this time around because it is a national election for president as well. The ASI election my see a higher turnout simply because students view it as a practice of sorts for the national elections in November.
Students at a commuter campus are not apt to get involved with politics at school. Many students at Sacramento State are just there for the diploma. Others have trouble showing up to class regularly. This is not the ideal mixture for interest in extracurricular activities.
The voter turnout at the upcoming ASI elections will help serve as an indicator
for how seriously students on campus are taking their chances of eliminating the proposed budget cuts, as well as their interest in the future of Sac State. An optimist would say that ASI has grown by leaps and bounds since its inception over five decades ago and its members should be proud of the work they do. A pessimist would say that ASI elections are irrelevant and student government is better at padding the résumés of its members than serving the campus. Chances are, most of the students at Sac State are pessimists.
The State Hornet staff can be reached at opinion@statehornet.com.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
natalyesaurus
Natalye
posted 4/16/08 @ 9:53 AM PST
For what it's worth, I think ASI does a good job doing what they do, but I never did care about elections when I was a student. I see them as a group that keeps the momentum of things going, but hardly as something that creates mindblowing change for the students on campus. (Continued…)
JLS
posted 4/25/08 @ 2:51 PM PST
I have to say that ASI is great. I don't know a single person associated with it, but I like the things it does for the students. I was a big advocate of the Student One card, because I loved the free drinks I received with my delicious Chipotle Burrito. (Continued…)
Terry Martin
posted 4/27/08 @ 11:13 AM PST
You're right, most people at CSUS do seem to be pessimistic when it comes to ASI elections. Still, that's no reason to give up. If we can really make ASI more accessible and applicable to the everyday student in this coming year, then we can increase the optimism of students towards ASI. (Continued…)
Tim
posted 4/29/08 @ 3:17 PM PST
ASI is great. I remember when ASI would stand up against the university administarion from time to time. A couple of years ago, former ASI President Barajas did alot of contracts and also challenged the administarion for change. (Continued…)
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