The 11 candidates running for seats on the SRJC’s Associated Student Senate square off in elections running April 25-29.

The voting will be online only, and students must log-in to their MyCubby and click on the “Student Elections” link to vote. Some candidates are not shown on the ballot and are write-in candidates, meaning students must mail in their votes.

All of the candidates share similar ideas and concerns regarding the future of SRJC and the dire need for student awareness and involvement.

Michelle Dowling, running for Associated Students vice president of advocacy, expressed the importance of student action. “I want to inform [students] as thoroughly as possible because a lot of student’s would get involved if they knew what was going on,” she said.

The two candidates running for A.S. President, Jessica Marie Jones and Justine Johnson, both understand the importance of leadership experience and the need to be accessible to students.

“I have a lot of experience of leading groups, overseeing groups and trying to foster leadership in students who may have never had a leadership role before,” Jones said. “I also have experience with Students for a Sustainable Community, which is almost two years old right now.”

Justine Johnson urged that protests, action among students and accessibility are key elements for providing students with a voice. “I am really adamant about action. If elected I won’t just be sitting in the office. I will be available for administrative duties and I will also be there to represent the students,” Johnson said. “I was student vice president of Mesa High School. I have experience in protecting schools.”

With an estimated 500 classes to be cut in the coming year as well as tuition increases and student fees, the candidates will be taking their positions during a critical time in SRJC’s history, one where financial know-how will be extremely important.

Kory Kevin Ryan, who is running for Associated Students Executive Vice President, felt that his past experiences will be beneficial in this time of financial crisis.

“I helped create the statewide student senate of California Community Colleges. I learned a lot about how the state works and how there’s a lot of inequity between state and community colleges. I think that will help me a lot in my position as executive V.P. in terms of our budget and how to make the most out of the money we have.”

Johnson along with Brittany Bagwell and Jordan DeVito are members of the self-proclaimed “Justice League of Santa Rosa,” and all share a common interest for the school. Bagwell is running against Dowling for Vice President of Advocacy, and DeVito is running for Vice President of the Santa Rosa campus.

Ruth Ann Grogan and Johana Perdomo are the two write-in candidates in the coming elections. Perdomo is running for Vice President of SRJC’s Petaluma campus, and Grogan is running for Vice President of Organization.

“I’ve had several terms in Interclub Council, mostly working with the Acquired Brain Injured Students (ABIS),” Grogan said. “I’ve also worked with the Brain Injury Resource Center (BIRC).”

The two candidates running for vice president of membership and marketing are Bobby Schimm and Mike Sjoblom, and Mark Goitom is running for the position of student trustee.

Each position is vital for the students of SRJC, and the importance of voting is virtually unprecedented given the current financial state of the school.