Santa Rosa Junior College Student Elections for the Associated Student Senate are approaching fast, set for April 21-25.

Omar Paz, the current Associated Students president, and Brian Phifer, a senate advisor recommend students run for a position on the senate for the sake of leadership experience and for the opportunity to see and be a part of the innerworkings of the college. Paz said that being a part of the senate has benefited him through opening doors by introducing him to city councils and legislatures, and by teaching him management and leadership skills he can use in the future.

Phifer encouraged students to run for a senate position in order to learn the democratic process first-hand. It also allows students to be a positive force of change for their fellow students.  He recalled how a senate contributed to SRJC supporting a sustainability initiative called the Talloires Declaration. Students on the senate have an influence over policies, such as the no-smoking on campus policy. Paz said the ability to be an influence inspired him to join the senate.

The student senate exists to advocate for SRJC students. When registering for a semester there is an optional $15 fee for Associated Students Programs membership. This fee supports the senate by providing the budget it uses to run a variety programs for students and provide them with discounts.  There is also a $1 representation fee that supports student advocacy involving government officials.

Students who wish to run and hold a senate position must maintain a GPA of at least 2.5 and be enrolled in a minimum of five units.  A student running for president must have attended SRJC for two semesters and completed 14 units. Once appointed, there is no set number of hours a senate member must fulfill but varies per individual commitment; however, the average number of hours spent per week tends be between 8-12 for vice-presidents and senators and 10-20 for the president. Again, it varies per individual; Paz tends to put in roughly 40 hours a week.

Information and applications for senate positions can be found on the student affairs website. They can also be found at the Student Affairs Office in Bertolini Student Services Center for Santa Rosa Campus and the Call Building for Petaluma. The deadline to apply is April 4. An informational meeting will be held April 1 at noon in Santa Rosa and at 2 p.m. in Petaluma to cover further information on the senate positions and campaigning.

Information on each candidate will be available through the Oak Leaf and BearFacts, an online bulletin published by the Student Affairs Office.