Senator urges new students to run for offices



Last spring I stumbled upon the Associated Students Inc. table at Week of Welcome. After speaking with its members I decided to campaign for senator-at-large in the forthcoming elections.

Despite being dissuaded at times by my lack of experience and by being the only freshman running, I trudged through election season and was elected by a small margin. I enjoyed my first term as an ASI senator and

I’m convinced that the ASI provides the best opportunity to make a difference for students.

Soon, the elections process will start again with its colorful array of candidates, campaign posters and inevitable controversies. For those of you fed up with rising student fees, parking and book costs — for those of you eager to make a difference — this is your chance. File an application for elections this week at the ASI Office in USU-311 and you can run for senator, treasurer, president or vice president of ASI.

John F. Kennedy once said, “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other” and, from my experience in ASI, I know this is true.

Don’t feel dissuaded if you’re a freshman. You don’t have to be Greek or a leader of campus groups to be elected. All you need is a bit of idealism, a desire to represent our students and the courage to speak up and take action.

In these times when budget cuts toward education and rising student fees are an all too real prospect, it is imperative students rise for the opportunity to have a hand in our student government and make the collective voice of Cal State Long Beach students heard. File an application at the ASI Office and prepare to make a difference.

- Guido D’Onofrio, ASI senator-at-large

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