Con: Syed Ali

I really don’t see the point of having a student government when most of us students honestly do not even care about what’s going on in our very own campus. During my first year at Skyline, I had no clue that we even had student body elections. When I heard that elections were going on, I said to myself, “Are you serious? What’s the point?”

In my second year on campus, our student body president was in one of my classes, and I didn’t even know about it until the semester was almost over. Perhaps I sound a bit harsh, but I thought voting for my student body president was a waste of my time, and I wasn’t even curious enough to search around campus and see what the candidates looked like.

Our student government only consists of five people, thus further showing the lack of passion we have for our school. I’m not implying that those five individuals are not doing their job, but how much can a handful of people get done with a campus full of hundreds of students?

Need I remind you all about last semester’s student elections? Voter turnout was scarce for the first few days of voting, but the voter turnout vastly increased upon the final day. Why, do you ask?

The amount of votes taken on the final day of voting dramatically grew as we students were all bribed with copious amounts of hot dogs, soda and chips. I wouldn’t have been surprised if there were students who voted twice, and not because they passionately wanted their candidate to win the election.

If there were to be a sufficient number of students who cared about our school, or a larger amount of people that were a part of our student government, then I’d have no problem approving it. But if I have to be bribed with food that was not only bought with our school’s money, which could’ve been used for a greater purpose, then I don’t see the point of its very existence.

Pro: Nicole Givens

Imagine a school in a state of nature- or a state of chaos more blatantly put. In such a state, college students would be taking full advantage of their freedom to dominate the campus and its student union funds. There’d be no representatives for the student population. No one to hear us protest our rights and beliefs and opposing views on campus related topics. No one to take us seriously when we denounce fee hikes and other money related issues. Yeah, I reckon that would be the epitome of fun in my college career.

Besides, I really think if the direct student population had control over the student union funds, we’d have a 50 foot statue of Bob Marley or John Belushi holding a water bong and saluting the general public as they drove onto campus.

When bringing up situations such as funding and fee hikes, who would represent us?

A student government is highly necessary, if for nothing more than representation. There are so many students here on campus that are unaware that we even have a student government. Yet somehow, I feel that if we were in lack of, we’d definitely be missing out. Student organizations could easily arrange different rallies, protests, meetings, or any other social event that would get them noticed, but when it came down to being taken seriously, a lack of representatives would be enough justification to overlook a student body.

I also couldn’t imagine who would be in charge of a student union expense account. Who’s hands would we trust? A student government- my point exactly.

For those who care enough, we do have a student government, and I’d hate to see it dissipate. Besides, it’s good practice for the ‘real world’, in which everywhere you go, there will be some sort of governmental system occupying the current state of human well being. As far as students who are unaware of a student government? Those are the ones who will complain when things don’t get done the way they “should.”

But don’t listen to me about student government and politics. I’m just a journalism student, trying to pass through Skyline College and get on with my life. No. In fact, I encourage you to do the same and overlook your representatives. Focus on school work, and don’t worry about what’s really going on with college students. Let the elected officials handle that stuff, if you’re aware they exist. And if you are aware, stop complaining that nothing gets done! Go out and vote, and work with them! And don’t for a second think that we don’t need a student government. They, like us here at The Skyline View, are the voice of your campus.