Students come first in ASG elections

By Stephen Floyd and Brandon Van Bibber

Mt. Hood Community College needs a leader, but it will not be one of us.

Student government is not meant for leaders, as bold political movements are not meant for an office and impactful decisions not meant to be made by the few. The real power of leadership is in you, the student.

Student government is meant for bureaucrats, paper-pushers and refined debaters. Our place is necessary, but our purpose is not served without active participation from students. This political race is not about what the candidates want, but about what students want.

What we say as candidates may come to fruition, or it may fall apart. We can promise and flatter until we are blue in the face. But remember that it is you, the student, who should do the talking, not us. We are meant to serve you.

Do you want an active voice for students in the Legislature next spring? Tell us and it will be done. Do you want to see your student fee money put to use for dances and student events? You need only say the word. Do you want student government to stand up for you and implement alternatives to terrible book prices? We would love nothing more than to do so.

You are students, you are community members, you are our constituents. We should be more accessible to the community and invite community members to the college. We, too, are a part of the community and we should not forget our place and our purpose.

The MHCC campus lends itself to contests, rallies, choir competitions, high-school debate tournaments and the highland games. We are, by nature and virtue, a strong, quintessential pillar of the community that has given a great deal to us. They have given to us so we could be stewards and give back.

The more the community knows about the college, the greater the college will be. The more people in the community that interact with the college, the greater the college will be. The greater things we do for the community, the greater the college will be.

Stephen Floyd and Brandon Van Bibber are running for president and vice president of the ASG. We wish to listen, not to order. We wish to adjust, not to change. And we wish to work with you, the student, if you are willing to work with us. Our goals are to inspire and include. There are clubs and groups on campus and we wish to see them flourish.

There are activities and we want more. You are our leaders and we want your plan enacted.

Vote in this election and use the leadership you have been given. Student government is yours to wield, and we will make it strong enough to do your work.