Where is the Associated Student Body?

With the COS Associated Student Body elections coming up this week, some students have admitted knowing little or nothing about the ASB.

Vance Simek, a COS student, was not aware that COS has an associated student body.  When asked what it is he thinks the ASB does, Simek answered a question with a question, “What they did in high school — plan activities, right?”

Simek is correct — at least partially. As is the case with most educational institutions, in addition to planning and supervising student body activities and ensuring those activities are conducted for the best interest of the student body as a whole, the ASB through its student executive board deals with matters of student affairs, promoting the best understanding between faculty and students.  The ASB governs all matters which are delegated to the ASB by the college administration, working with it in all matters affecting the welfare of the student body.

On the COS web site, the current ASB president, Nalor See, writes on the ASB web page:  “We interact with students, faculty, and administration on a daily basis voicing the [students’] needs and concerns.”  Unfortunately, this reporter was unable to find one student who has had any interaction with any member of the ASB student executive board, and the last agenda posted on the ASB web page is dated Oct. 21, 2008.

A former member of the ASB student executive board confirms the ASB’s inattention to representing the business of the associated students.

“The presence of the ASB has been weaker compared to previous semesters.”

Many COS students agree that it’s up to them to demand representation from their leaders.  Students have expressed how they want the presence of the ASB to be known and their needs and opinions voiced.

However, before their voices may be heard, COS students must become an Associated Student Body member. A purchase of a photo identification card for $15 per year entitles COS students to all the membership privileges of the ASB, including: eligibility to run for any COS student body office and vote in ASB elections; discounts on COS bookstore purchases, athletic and performing arts events; discounts at local theatres, ski resorts and area merchants; free use of on-campus lockers; and eligibility for ASB scholarship consideration.

It’s time to take action. The next ASB elections will be held on April 29 and 30 in front of the Giant Forest Building.
 

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