A lot of people are aware that Skyline has a student government, the Associated Students. However, not too many of us are aware of their responsibilities.

The Associated Students represent the student body, one of the four major groups that make up the campus. The other three bodies include the faculty, staff and administration.

“[The] student government represents the students officially,” said Lori Adrian, Vice President of Student Services.

On their day-to-day agenda, the Associated Students appoint student committees, help plan committee meetings, oversee campus clubs and give out scholarships. Recently, President Mauricio Flores Hernandez and Vice President Brittany Piccolotti even did some lobbying in Washington D.C. Furthermore, the Associated Students have played an integral part in the decision for the campus to begin its smoke free policy next fall. They have also been actively involved in the state wide budget process.

“We love to get students involved,” says Victoria Morrow, President of Skyline College, referring to the Associated Student’s consistent activeness on the college council.

If you’re interested in joining the Associated Students, candidacy applications are being accepted now. To apply simply go to the Student Activities Center in building six and pick up the candidate application packet. The packet contains information for all student government positions as well as the as the times and dates of all the mandatory meetings. In addition to filling out some general information about yourself, you will have to answer at least one question in the candidate statement portion as well as collecting 25 nomination signatures. The deadline for this part of the process is May 8.

“Live life to the fullest for the future of the college,” says Michelle Alferez a 24-year-old music major.

After completing and returning your packet to the Student Activities Center, Amory Cariadus, Skyline’s Coordinator of Student Activities, will go over your application, checking it alongside your GPA as well as various other factors. Once your application is approved you will have some time to campaign around campus before the online elections take place from May 18 to May 22.

Ali Ismaiel is just one of the many students running for office in the Associated Students.

Like each other individual running, he has a campaign. Ismaiel is focusing on creating bigger smoking areas, improving the theatre program and working with the school’s budgets and grants.

“So far nothing has been done,” Ismaiel said. “Maybe I can make the right resolutions.”

Besides making your voice heard, there are plenty of reasons to join student government. Joining the Associated Students will help you build a better relationship with the campus and develop your leadership skills in the process.

“Students surprise themselves with what they can do,” says Adrian, inspiring more people to give student government a chance.

“It is a tremendous opportunity to have an influence on the decisions made at the college,” Morrow says.