Theme Stresses the Need to Vote
The Student Life section of Utah State Today highlights work written by the talented student journalists at Utah State University. Each week, the editor selects a story that has been published in The Utah Statesman or the Hard News Café or both for inclusion in Utah State Today.
Theme Stresses the Need to Vote
By Rouchelle Brockman in The Utah Statesman, February 9, 2011
ASUSU public relations director Lacy Nagao, along with the elections committee, chose "SPEAK" as the theme of the 2011 ASUSU elections in order to draw students to vote and express the impact voting has on their education.
Elections will be held Feb. 22-25 and voting stations will be set up in the Taggart Student Center as well as the Merrill-Cazier Library. The option to vote online is also available.
"We created something that displayed not only elections, but what ASUSU represents as a whole — the voice of students," Nagao said. "As student leaders, it is important to remember that all ASUSU positions are actually designed to help each student, and increase his or her overall college experience."
She said ASUSU wants to use the theme to encourage students to not just find fault with current policies but to also voice their opinions and advocate for changes they wish to see in ASUSU as well as on campus.
Stressing the importance of thinking about which candidates to vote for, Brent Crosby, ASUSU executive vice president, said, "Members of student government are in charge of where a lot of students' money goes, so you want to make sure you have the right people in office."
In addition to allocating funds, ASUSU also determines which events will be held on campus, Nagao said. She said it’s important for every student to know the goals of each candidate.
Kayla Harris, elections committee co-chair, said the elections committee members brainstormed different ideas and debated for several weeks but eventually decided on SPEAK.
"SPEAK was chosen because we want USU students to know that they have a voice," said Brittany Ingalls, a member of the ASUSU public relations committee. "It's up to them to decide who they want in office."
Ingalls also said the theme was created aiming to guide the elections committee and remind them their No. 1 goal is to better all aspects of the students' experience at USU.
"It's not about who wins or loses or who has the best-looking A frame, it's about what is best for the university," she said.
Nagao said the theme will not only help students realize the importance of voting in the 2011-12 elections, but will prompt candidates to remember the responsibilities they sign up for by running.
Ingalls said the candidates are not required to incorporate the theme into their campaigns.
In the 2010-11 ASUSU elections there wasn't a distinct theme when the word about elections was spread throughout campus, she said.
According to the ASUSU 2011 elections packet, a primary debate will be held Feb. 22 at 1 p.m. in the TSC Hub and primary elections will be Feb. 22-23. Final elections will be Feb. 23-25, with the final debate Feb. 24 at 1p.m. in the Hub. An elections party and dance will be held Feb. 24 from 8-11 p.m. in the TSC International Lounge, and the final announcements will be made Feb. 25 at 5 p.m. in the Hub. The ASUSU inauguration will not be until April 15.
For more information regarding ASUSU elections, Nagao said students should visit the ASUSU website, where all candidates' platforms and pictures will be posted during elections week. Students may also join their Facebook page or follow ASUSU on Twitter.
ASUSU elections begin Feb. 22 and this year the elections committee decided to associate the theme "Speak" so students will understand their voice is important. (Statesman file photo. From the USU Statesman Online.)
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