ASUCC Candidate Forum

By KC Crouse · The Mainstream
Published April 26, 2011

We asked each candidate these questions:

Why are you running?
What are your goals?
How do you plan to serve students?
What degree are you working towards?
What is your favorite quote?

Name: Ethan C. Snyder
– President Candidate

I am running for ASUCC President because I have served as an ASUCC Club Representative for ASTRA and I’m currently a Senator and I would like to take a leadership position to represent UCC Students. I feel strongly that I can represent underrepresented communities on-campus, and I would like to work towards a better communication spectrum between Student Government, Administration, and Students. I have also served on multiple boards within the community and I feel as though I have a knowledge of the needs of many discourse communities.
I would like to educate the student body on workings of ASUCC. I want to encourage a broad communication spectrum which would encompass more open forums for issues concerning the student body. These would take place on campus, ASUCC’s Facebook, and on an approved UCC Website location. To reconstruct rules in the library to help provide students with a quieter and more productive studying environment. To represent the majority of students’ values and beliefs at council meetings.
If I was elected I would have an open door policy for all students and staff members. Before holding a vote in student council on issues that concern the broad student body I would conduct formal surveys to gain a perspective of the general opinions of students.
I’m going for an AAOT at UCC and plan to transfer to University of Oregon to double major in International Relations and Writing; with a double minor in Public Relations and Education.
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” -Anne Frank

Name: Kristi Carr
– Activities Officer

I’m a senator, so I’ve already been involved with ASUCC. It would be a step up in leadership for me. I want to reinvent some of the current activities and create new ones.
I want to have students participate in surveys that will improve future activities.
I hope to improve communication from ASUCC to students and community.
AAOT to Western Oregon University to be a Math/Science Teacher
“If you have the ability to do something, then you have the responsibility to do something.”

Name: Rena Bjerke
– Public Relations Officer

I am running for Public Relations Officer because I have a passion for communication and sharing information. I believe knowledge is power and I want to help UCC students be as powerful as they can be!
I want to make sure that students are informed in a timely manner of activities, events, forums, and any other matter that involves or affects them on campus or in the community.
I will strive to ensure that each and every student has an opportunity to be involved in all activities and events on campus by providing information to them using several different approaches. I will make the information noticeable and attractive and have it made available far enough in advance that students have enough time to adjust their schedules in time to participate if they choose.
I am majoring in journalism and communication. I have also earned all credits needed for a certificate in public relations that I will receive along with my degree upon graduation.
I have two favorite quotes. “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some hire public relations officers.” – Daniel J. Boorstin

Name: Karsha Owen
– Public Relations Officer

I’m running to make sure that important information that student(s) and staff need to know get to them in a timely manner. To set up our campus and the students to be successful.
My goals are to attend meetings that deal with the effects of our students and staff. To hear the voices and concerns of the student and deal with them the best way I can.
I plan on having surveys with what students want to know, have a comment and concern box for students leave information they want to know about.
My major is either attending Lane Community College for Physical Therapy Assistant or OIT for Medical Imaging.
“Reach for the moon because the worst you can do is fall among stars”

Ben Horvath
– Business Manager Candidate

I am running for the position as ASUCC Business Manager because I enjoy being involved in what is going on around campus, helping others, having an opportunity to be a voice for the fellow students when certain situations occur and also to get the word out to students on when there is a situation that has come up and students need to be aware of it. I am very well organized person, task oriented, and a great communicator. In addition to my current experience as ASUCC Business Manager, I have also been involved in organizing and running sporting events for the youth through both the YMCA and Park and Recreation. I feel working with Student Government and being the ASUCC Business Manager for a second year will give me the opportunity to use what I’ve learned and work with a team of fellow students to improve the enjoyment of attending Umpqua Community College experience.
My goals as the ASUCC Business Manager is to be very involved with the projects that are already happening on campus, try to improve them to make them better and also to bring in new projects that will benefit the college and the students that attend. I am re-running as the ASUCC Business Manager so I have already had the opportunity to get my feet wet and my hands dirty per say and have been very dedicated in a couple projects on campus already such as Project C.A.N.S and Recycling Program. The main reason of why I would like to be your ASUCC Business Manager is because I enjoy helping other students and would like to make their time here at Umpqua Community College an enjoyable one.
I plan on serving the students by listening to their concerns, comments and suggestions and want to try to make their time here enjoyable by doing my best to get the issues or situations addressed. I would accomplish this by discussing them with other fellow Student Government Members in an organized meeting and also meet with staff that has advice on how to handle whatever situation comes about I feel I will do my best to work through the situation until it is solved.
The degree I am achieving is a double Major which is Physical Education / Elementary Education. I enjoy both of those areas because again it gives me the joy of helping others and making changes in other people’s lives.
One of my favorite paraphrased quotes mentioned to me by a friend is “Live in the moment, because in a moment, it will be only a memory”.

Name: Christopher Harwood
- Vice President Candidate

I am running for vice president to better represent the students at UCC and their issues.
I intend to ask students what their issues are and how best I can help. I also want to look at the parking problem at UCC.
I plan to work as a team with the next president and other officers to keep tuition cost down, [and have] open communication with the mainstream.
Business Administration-AAOT
“A house divided against itself cannot stand” –Abraham Lincoln

Name: Ron Gordon
– President

I am running because as a member of UCC it is my duty to become involved in our civic responsibilities.
To affect positive change for the students and families that make up our community as well as help individual clubs where possible.
As student president I plan to devote as much time as possible, addressing the issues that the students feel are most pressing.
I am planning on attaining my AAOT here and transferring to OSU majoring in Economics.
“He who knows best knows how little he knows” – Thomas Jefferson