LBCC Students to Elect Student Leadership

Photo courtesy of LBCC Commuter

By the end of February LBCC will have a new Student Council President. For the first time since 2010 students will elect leadership by exercising their right to vote. 

In the past, the process for Student Council President was appointed by the Student Leadership Council . An applicant applied, the current SLC members interviewed them and then a majority vote determined the appointment to presidency. 
  

LBCC will now have an election process based off votes from the students. This makes LBCC unique among most other Oregon community colleges, according to Mike Jones, the SLC Legislative Affairs Director.

Jones explained that the change came about when there was a big push from last year’s SLC to give the students their choice. He added that studies have shown students do better when they have more power. After listening to what the students wanted, LBCC approved the new election.

“The president and vice president of LBCC have been 100% behind us in this change,” Jones said. 

What does this change mean for students? The by-laws for SLC state that voting members of the SLC can only serve two consecutive terms. Current President, Amanda McCown, will be ineligible to run since she is completing her second term. With the power to elect the best candidate, students will have several things to consider.

Staff that regularly interact with the SLC President made it clear that the SLC President has a specific obligation to the students. Greg Hamann, President of LBCC, said they need to be someone he can rely on to be an interface between him and the student body.

“We count on them to make sure student perspective is being brought to us as an institution," said Hamann.

The Student Activities Coordinator, Barbara Horn, agrees with Hamann.

“They are a voice for the student, able to look for student needs and see the big picture,” said Horn.

Duties of the SLC President revolve around the management of the SLC. They direct official business; ensuring by-laws and the constitution are followed. They lead weekly SLC meetings, appoint necessary subcommittees, and prioritize and coordinate the work of SLC. They also represent the student body at monthly LBCC board meetings.

Outside of their admin duties, the president's main objective is to be an advocate of student issues. They take the concerns of the student body and push for action in improving the quality of student life on campus.

The new SLC President doesn’t need to have a particular background or major to do the job. According to Horn, qualities they should have are: being a person who is a natural leader, having good communication skills, the ability to listen to others, problem solving skills, organization, and passion.

“This is a working office and the skills they learn here will be life-long," said Horn.

The deadline to apply at the SLC office has been extended to Jan. 31. As of Jan.16 there are two applicants. Names of the applicants will be disclosed after the deadline.

As part of the campaign, candidates will be given an opportunity to have a debate for students to attend. The tentative details of the debate will be in the Forum during mid February, according to Jones.

Students will cast their votes the week of Feb. 24. Terminals to vote will be set up in the Hot Shot Cafe on the LBCC campus and at the Benton and Lebanon Centers.

By electing the next leader, students are directing their future voice. When asked what he is most excited about when working with the new SLC President, Hamann said, “I hope most that they will partner with me to make students feel part of the campus community.”

-At a glance -

What: Students vote for LBCC Student Body President
Applicant Deadline: Jan. 31
Voting: Week of Feb. 24
Where: Hot Shot Cafe on LBCC campus, Benton and Lebanon Centers
SLC Office contact: 1st Floor, Student Union Building - (541) 917-4475