Student candidates face no opposition
Ryan Garner
This year, there are three new candidates running for student office. Despite the executive board consisting of four positions, the executive vice president’s spot will remain vacant until appointed by the new president.
The candidates – Andrew Kuhn, president; Desi Grecco, vice president of communication; and Clelia Tommy, vice president of fiscal affairs – will comprise the new board, which assumes office after graduation. The elections will take place on April 23 and 24.
According to Andre Salais, last year’s vice president, running for school office isn’t high on students’ list of priorities, “We’re a commuter campus. People don’t live here, so there’s less incentive to get involved.”
“Another reason for the lack of exposure is that when you look at any government that’s doing things well, you don’t really notice that it exists. It’s autonomous,” says Salais.
“Tuition isn’t going up. Transgender issues were addressed. We fought the tobacco ban and fought for the smoking areas. We fought the guns on campus legislation, proposing pepper spray and tasers as an alternative to full on lethal force.
“We’ve made improvements, more students are aware that (government) exists.”
As for the election process and lack of competition this session, student life director Greg Reents said he’s overseen elections like this before; “it’s inherently harder to get people involved.”
“I’m happy that the three positions will be filled,” said Reents. “All the students fill the qualifications very well. I’m excited to see how they work together. People think the student government elects their own, but it’s our goal that they represent the diversity of the entire campus.”
Kuhn, presidential candidate, currently heads MCC’s environmental action club, and will be resigning from his position to assume ASMCC presidency.
Kuhn divulged plans to improve advisement, and to initiate service learning contracts in an attempt to increase face-to-face student interaction. “It’s easier to talk to your peers. People see a long line (at advisement) and they don’t even go in.”
On his race for office, Kuhn said, “My only opposition dropped out of the race and decided to go to ASU. I don’t mind, I get to focus on more important things.”
Kuhn has attended MCC since 2008 and said he wants to “leave something behind. This will be my last year here, so I want to make an impact.”
The new executive board will begin meetings in June, says new faculty advisor Kim Kocak. “It’s nice to take this position during the changeover period. I’m familiarizing myself with high priority items and learning along with the outgoing government members.
“My goals as faculty advisor are to help the board in voicing the concerns of the students they’re representing.”
