Dear Editor,
I write this letter in response to Campaign Season Is Here, by Will Nacouzi, published on February 28th, 2013. As a previous member of the Associated Students of Skyline College’s Governing Council, I encourage all students to run for office and speak their voice. Serving on the ASSC is a unique learning experience, a simple method to find community at Skyline College, and, often, an advantageous place to be if one is interested in transferring or earning an academic scholarship.
The decision to require a test before eligibility is granted to a candidate, is elitist and highlights the disconnect between our representatives and the student body, their constituency. Every year, the ASSC struggles to fill the 21 positions on their governing council. From my personal experience, I have seen that the majority of council members have similar goals, educational experiences, and aspirations. To an extent, this is to be expected. However, this should not, by any means, be encouraged.
The process for an individual to gain candidacy should be streamlined, should be accessible to all students, and should be thoroughly publicized. The ASSC, after releasing the application on February 27th, has allotted students two weeks to study the constitution and by-laws (a poorly-written, greatly flawed document, which can be changed without limitation by the governing council). The ASSC has allotted three rigid time-blocks for taking the test. The ASSC has not actively publicized what the test will entail. The ASSC must re-evaluate its values and mission—to serve the student body—and take this decision, perhaps their whole election execution process, back to the drawing board.
I do not write this letter because I wish to run for a position on the governing council without taking this test. In fact, after this semester I will transfer out of Skyline, and this decision will have no effect on my livelihood. However, I had a great experience serving the student body through a position on the ASSC Governing Council, and wish that all students could have—at the least—ACCESS to such an experience. So, the object of this letter is two-fold: I ask that the ASSC opens its doors to all students; and I ask for the student body to consider what they, as individuals, can contribute to this college, to this world, and though what medium their contribution will be most influential.
Thank you, Mark Lipkin
Fromer ASSC Senator and Commissioner of Publicity