PVCC Puma Press: April 2006

If you want to make a difference at PVCC while obtaining leadership skills and travel opportunities, stop by Student Life at KSC-135 on March 19 and request an Election Packet for the 2007-2008 PVCC Student Leadership Council Elections.

Rachel Stewart serves as an SLC senator. She says, “New opportunities have opened up for me because my name is known around important campus circles such as the administration and faculty.”

Stewart says that she became aware of an opportunity to become involved in the Student Public Policy Forum program through a faculty member who knew her from SLC. Through SPPF, Stewart has another opportunity to study abroad.

Election candidates consist of executive board officers and senators. Executive board officers include chairperson, vice chairperson, secretary, treasurer and public relations. The number of senators required depends on the enrollment at PVCC since a senator represents 1,000 PVCC students.

Stacy Parmenter, SLC vice chairperson, touches on some of the travel opportunities she experienced over the last year. “So far, I have been to Washington, D.C. for the American Student Government Association Conference, to Estrella Mountain Community College for a student leadership retreat, and the council traveled to the University of Arizona in Tucson for the Arizona Collegiate Leadership Conference,” she says.

Alex Jungwirth, SLC chairperson, recruited both Parmenter and Stewart. From Jungwirth’s explanation of SLC’s activities and benefits, Parmenter decided that vice chairperson would be a fun and flexible position. Stewart was in search of involvement on campus when Jungwirth convinced her to consider the senate position.

Jungwirth says, “I was a club representative last year, and I liked it so much that I decided to take on a more active role and become chair. I was encouraged to serve on SLC by last year’s council.”

Throughout the year, SLC officers and senators participate in community service projects, such as the adopt-a-family program, and they plan and host the Murder Mystery Party to raise funds for the United Way.

Isabel Cota, SLC treasurer, says, “At the end of Emerging Leaders II, someone did a presentation on it (SLC), and I thought that it would be a fun thing to do. I figured that if I was getting involved in developing my leadership style, it was time to act it out.”

Officers and senators agree that serving on SLC provides a great way to participate in campus and community activities, network with faculty and administration, learn leadership skills and gain a valuable item to record on their resume.

Some requirements that must be filled and maintained in order to serve as an SLC executive board officer or senator are as follows:

• Maintain a grade point average of 2.5 or higher;

• Enroll in six or more credit hours of classes throughout the year;

• Schedule Monday through Friday office hours of either five hours for executive board officers or three hours for senators;

• Attend SLC meetings and obligations every Tuesday from 2-4 p.m.;

• Enroll in a two credit hour leadership class, “Student Leadership Facilitation.”

The election campaign begins at 8 a.m., April 2 and candidates must follow the Rules and Regulations for Campaigning. Election petitions must be completed and returned by 5 p.m., April 18. Elections take place from 8 a.m.-9 p.m., April 23-24. According to Heather Kruse, director of Student Life & Leadership, designated polling places on campus will be confirmed prior to the elections, and students have an option to vote online. Official election results will be posted at 5 p.m., April 26.

For more information or to get involved in the 2007-2008 student elections, stop by KSC- 135, telephone (602) 787-7240 or talk to any current SLC executive board officer or senator.