Candidates for City College student elections are running for positions on the Clubs and Events Board, Student Senate and as the Los Rios Student Trustee for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Political science professor Paul Frank opened the student elections forum on Thursday, April 20, for the 10 candidates, seven who appeared in person at the Student Center and three who participated in the forum virtually Each candidate had three minutes for their speech.
The candidate had an opportunity to answer four questions: why they chose to run for the position, what their goals and priorities would be, how they would spread awareness and communication in a virtual environment, and what issues that affect the student body need to be addressed.
Most of the candidates said they would be supportive and open to listening to every student. Others believed that there is a problem with effective communication at Los Rios colleges.
“Sometimes emails get buried,” said Tellous Sudds, who is running for Student Senate vice president. His goal as a vice president is to be responsive, effective in communication and receptive.
Desiree Jauregui, who is the current secretary of Legislative Affairs and is running again, is looking to recruit more students to leadership positions. One of her main priorities is “strengthening relationships with elected officials at the local, state and federal levels to ensure that the voice of our student body is represented at these important levels of government.”
In addition, she believes that all students want the same thing: college affordability, safer campuses, more student support services and more student events.
Mollie Nielson, a candidate for Student Senate president, has a passion for policy work and promises to actively listen to students and address their needs in “sufficient and excessive” ways if elected.
“Right now, over 50% of our students are fully online,” Nielson said. Her goal will be to increase access to equal resources and participation of both online and offline students in college events.
Two out of 10 candidates believe that City College needs to more actively use social media platforms. Safiya Peragallo, a candidate for Student Senate treasurer, and Grace Adekaya, a candidate for Clubs and Events Board secretary of equity and diversity, both said they would focus on spreading awareness by posting on social media.
Some candidates focused on problems within the college such as lack of communication, but others were very positive during their speech.
“It would mean the world to me to at least put a smile on someone’s face,” said Kyle Felver, a candidate for Clubs and Events Board president. His main priority will be to bring back more school activities and the school spirit.
“I would like to help as many people as I can during my run,” Felver said.
At the end of the forum, all candidates had 30 seconds for final statements. Some of them emphasized their main ideas from their speech, and some simply thanked those who came to the forum and those who supported them.
The elections will be open from 5 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 25 to Wednesday, April 26.
“Go out! Go vote!” Sudds added.
