What, me vote?
Only 98 students vote in ASVC election
Amy Drow
Issue date: 5/9/05 Section: News
The results are in. The ballots have been cast and the students have spoken, the 98 of them who voted, that is. So where were the rest of the students?
David Bransky, assistant dean of student services and ASVC adviser said he was at a loss for the lack of student participation.
"It comes in rhythms; (the turn out) comes and goes," Bransky said.
Although there were a few posters and the paper ran ads and some information about it, some students said that they didn't know there was an election.
"I wasn't aware that there was an election even taking place," said student Jon Hickenbottom.
"There wasn't enough publication about the election," said student Noemi Espinoza. "If I had known it was going on, I would have voted," she said.
ASVC secretary Viviana Hernandez has found students to be apathetic about the whole process. In an e-mail Hernandez wrote, "I think people did not/do not vote in ASVC elections because they do not care. They come to VC with attitudes like, 'I'm only coming here (to VC) for two years, then I am transferring ... so why get involved?' I know this because I have asked some students in classrooms, and this was a very popular response."
Of the candidates who ran, all were unopposed. This affected some students' attitudes about voting.
"I didn't vote because it would have been a waste of time," said student Ashley Towery. "They were running unopposed; what's the point?"
"More people would vote and participate if they were informed about the council and what the elected officers do for our school," said student Ray Zanders.
Bransky said he feels it is important to educate students about the part student government plays in campus life. Just recently they made donations to the Women's and Re-entry Center and the Child Development Center and helped fund several scholarship awards. "They do not realize how important it is to be a part of organizations or clubs at school and in the community. There are many decisions made everyday. Not many people realize that these decisions can be immediately affecting them now or in the future, like when their kids or siblings need to go to college," Hernandez wrote.
The Associated Students of Ventura College is a committee of students who speak on behalf of the students and help support different clubs, causes and organizations around school. The elected officers include a president, vice-president, executive secretary, treasurer, two senators and a representative to the California Student Association of Community Colleges. There are numerous other positions as well, including a recording secretary, public relations, Sergeant at Arms, Entertainment Director, Director of Equipment and Operations, Interclub Council Member and Photographer.
Presently, only the positions of president, vice president, and two senator positions are filled. The rest are available for fall.
David Bransky, assistant dean of student services and ASVC adviser said he was at a loss for the lack of student participation.
"It comes in rhythms; (the turn out) comes and goes," Bransky said.
Although there were a few posters and the paper ran ads and some information about it, some students said that they didn't know there was an election.
"I wasn't aware that there was an election even taking place," said student Jon Hickenbottom.
"There wasn't enough publication about the election," said student Noemi Espinoza. "If I had known it was going on, I would have voted," she said.
ASVC secretary Viviana Hernandez has found students to be apathetic about the whole process. In an e-mail Hernandez wrote, "I think people did not/do not vote in ASVC elections because they do not care. They come to VC with attitudes like, 'I'm only coming here (to VC) for two years, then I am transferring ... so why get involved?' I know this because I have asked some students in classrooms, and this was a very popular response."
Of the candidates who ran, all were unopposed. This affected some students' attitudes about voting.
"I didn't vote because it would have been a waste of time," said student Ashley Towery. "They were running unopposed; what's the point?"
"More people would vote and participate if they were informed about the council and what the elected officers do for our school," said student Ray Zanders.
Bransky said he feels it is important to educate students about the part student government plays in campus life. Just recently they made donations to the Women's and Re-entry Center and the Child Development Center and helped fund several scholarship awards. "They do not realize how important it is to be a part of organizations or clubs at school and in the community. There are many decisions made everyday. Not many people realize that these decisions can be immediately affecting them now or in the future, like when their kids or siblings need to go to college," Hernandez wrote.
The Associated Students of Ventura College is a committee of students who speak on behalf of the students and help support different clubs, causes and organizations around school. The elected officers include a president, vice-president, executive secretary, treasurer, two senators and a representative to the California Student Association of Community Colleges. There are numerous other positions as well, including a recording secretary, public relations, Sergeant at Arms, Entertainment Director, Director of Equipment and Operations, Interclub Council Member and Photographer.
Presently, only the positions of president, vice president, and two senator positions are filled. The rest are available for fall.