ASG ELECTION

Unprecedented: one way to discribe 2020--a theme consistent with the way in which the associated student government was selected this academic year. Due to COVID-19, this year’s ASG was selected with littleto-no input from the student body. Natasha Monroe is the Academic Vice President of the Associated Student Government, and Hanna Thompson is the Associated President. Currently, the selection of the next year’s student government is made by the incumbent student government, and the Director of Student Funded Programs, Heather McKenzie. Hanna Thompson said that the executive team goes through an extensive process to be selected. “I sent in my application, and that involves what classes I am taking, my GPA, how many credits I am taking,” Thompson said. “Why do I want to be a part of ASG, and what experience I have.”

She then made a presentation for an interview with the incumbent student government and the Director of Student Funded Programs. “I presented to the previous president, academic vice president, and activities vice president, as well as Heather McKenzie and Cole Bond,” Thompson said. “Then I got a call back saying that they would give me the job if I wanted it.” Thompson and Monroe were asked whether the student body had any say on the selection of student government members. “To my knowledge, not really, other than if they want to be a change in the school then they can apply for [a] position,” Thompson said. Monroe answered similarly about the involvement of the student body. “They unfortunately don’t have much of a role,” she said. “It’s mainly very in-house.”

Ashley Jacobson | The Communicator A voting pin depicting the nature of the student government selection process at SFCC.

While the Associated President and the Academic Vice President both agree on the small impact of the voices of the student body today, they have differing opinions on whether this system of selecting the ASG is an effective way of listening to the student body. “I think [selecting the student government] is this way so that it can’t be any kind of popularity contest,” Thompson said. “It is important to select the people that would be best suited for the roles— that really want the position.” Thompson further justified her stance adding that she has had previous experience in high school with student government. “I was in student government at my previous school,” she said. “It was partially a voting system. The Falls system is better because I’ve been in a voting system and it was a mess; granted it wasn’t for paid positions.” Monroe had a different opinion on the matter. “For the executive team, I feel it would be a better idea to get the rest of the student population involved,” she said, referring to this year’s ASG selections. “It should have been an important process for students to have a say on who they think is best fit.” Heather McKenzie, the Director of Student Funded Programs gave her responses to The Communicator’s questions via email. She gave insight into the reasons for using a hiring process to select student government instead of electing them. “In the election process we had very few students run for office and many of them ran unopposed,” she said. “When we switched to selections we had over 30 candidates for 15 positions.” She also stated that the last year we ran an election to elect the student government was 20142015. In addition to this information, McKenzie stated that candidates must collect 300 student signatures for executive positions, and 50 student signatures for staff members. However, according to both Thompson and Monroe, due to COVID-19, this process did not take place. Both Thompson and Monroe also stressed that there are positions still available to fill and urged students to consider applying for them.

The student government is at the core of addressing key issues concerning the student body; a key player in improving the school for the better. They have a direct impact on important decisions like allocating public funding given to them through student fees. With this being said, the question remains: are we providing a fair enough system for listening to the voices of the student body and ensuring that the right people represent them?

Corbin Willmorth The Communicator

Great news for those students who have been finding it hard to work out during this time of hardship, the gym in the Athletic Center is open for business! It’s excellent for those students who have been looking to get in an early morning workout just before class. One student seems particularly excited about it.

“I’m glad it’s open, “said Thomas McKenna, member of the SFCC Baseball team, “Definitely excited that it’s open. If it wasn’t open, I would probably have to pay for a membership somewhere else.”

For those who still worry about the current Covid-19 pandemic that is currently affecting the nation, there are safety precautions put into place. A maximum of fifteen students are allowed in at one time and there is a list of rules at the front desk. One gym employee was confident about the gym’s safety.

“The main rules are making sure you wear a mask and are hand sanitizing as much as possible,” said Ryan Webb, gym employee, “We have boxes around the floors that measure to six feet, one person in each box to help maintain social distancing. We have daily symptom checks and are working to limit numbers and creating more space to avoid any close contact.”

Items on the list of rules include: • No access to locker rooms or showers, the lavatory will be open

Wash hands often throughout your day (utilize hand sanitizing stations located at entry and exit points of building) ment before arriving

Maintain social distance (minimum six feet)

WEAR A MASK EXCEPT WHEN ON CARDIO MACHINE

If you have any symptoms, please let your supervisor/instructor know and STAY HOME

If you have been in contact with anybody that has a confirmed case of Covid-19, please let your supervisor/instructor know and STAY HOME

Personal water bottles are permitted. No sharing water bottles during, before and after workout (there are no contact water bottle fill stations in the hallways)

Spacing for workout stations will be directed from markings on the wall (x’s on the wall will mark out safe socially distanced areas for personal exercise space)

Of course, there are more rules than just what is stated on this list, but it is worth knowing that these are the main set. According to a sign on the gym door, a maximum of fifteen students are allowed inside the gym at one time, but Webb has confirmed that the gym will have more than fifteen recipients on a typical day.

“Somewhere around forty-five to fifty students usually come in on a given day,” Webb said, “if it’s one of the sports teams, it’s typically higher.”

If all students follow protocol, there shouldn’t be any need to worry about the new restrictions. So, are you tired of working out at home? Feeling the need to use proper equipment? The Gym in the Athletics Center should have you covered!

Photos by Corbin Willmorth | The Communicator