Make connections, join ASG’s elections committee

Calling all future politicians! Your help is needed to find the next student government leaders of Mt. Hood Community College.

Mt. Hood’s Associated Student Government (ASG) is looking for students to become members of the elections committee during January. The elections committee is responsible for organizing candidate debates, advertising, and promoting student voting later on this spring.

“The committee’s goal is to motivate students to get out there and let them know their vote counts,” said Cristian Urzua, current ASG vice president. “Essentially whoever you’re electing is going to be in charge of the student budget.”

Working within its budget, student government is planning big things for Mt. Hood.

Urzua said student leaders think of new and exciting ways to improve student life. “Right now we’re focusing on online electronic resources,” he said. “We’re trying to work with (MHCC) President Debbie Derr to provide free textbooks for students online.” The initiative is still in development, but promises to be a viable resource for future students.

Being involved in student government was not Urzua’s initial goal entering college. A former athlete at Gresham High School, he felt uncertain where to turn.

“At Gresham I wasn’t that involved, but once I took that step into college I decided I wanted to be aware of what is happening at my college,” he said. “I felt that I could create a legacy for future students to follow” and that legacy begins with the elections committee, he said.

The elections committee is comprised of four members, each executing different tasks. The chairperson ensures that debates and classroom presentations will be carried out by each candidate. Advertising and promotion of the election are headed by the marketing coordinator, while other important duties are conducted by the logistics and support coordinators.

The committee may undergo changes, and officials are considering additional positions.

Urzua highly recommends the ASG experience to any student considering joining.

“The connections you make in student government are great, and it is those connections that really help you get what you want out of your college experience,” he said. “The faculty is very supportive of what we do, which really makes our job easier.”

If you are interested in joining the student elections committee, visit the ASG in the MHCC Student Union or go to www.mhcc.edu/asg for more information. Applications must be completed online and submitted by 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 23.