Our Perspective
...
More publicity
for Black History Month events needed
Black History
Month at Appalachian State University is recognized in a variety
of ways across campus, but we are not really hearing much about
these events.
It is critical
for the entire Appalachian community that we have access to black
history through as wide of a variety of programs as possible. We
do have that access, but knowledge of the event in the first place
is not as widespread as it should be.
Already, Dr.
Joycelyn Elders, former surgeon general for the United States, spoke
to an audience at Farthing Auditorium, which many people knew about;
however, the reception beforehand was not nearly as well-known.
Just last week,
the theater at I.G. Greer showed "Bamboozled," a Spike
Lee film about how a television network portrays black people in
programming. Afterwards followed a discussion with some professors
and viewers of the movie on current social and media perceptions
and reflections of race and black people.
These are not
the only two events that have happened with some association to
black history, but they are among the more well-known.
High quality
programs are happening at Appalachian, but the awareness is low.
For a campus with one of the lowest percentages of minorities in
the University of North Carolina System, awareness of black history
should be stressed.
In this month,
which is more than half over, organizations do have some time left
to raise awareness for what their respective events may be.
Organizations
planning events for black history month should put out whatever
information necessary to let the campus know about what they are
doing. Right now, nothing that we know of is being heavily promoted.
This campus,
if saturated with information, will respond to the call of an organization.
With an entire month set aside for black history, the mission is
already partly complete.
The powers-that-be
consistently state that increasing diversity and promoting events
that will do so is a top priority of the university.
We have to question
this sentiment given the lack of buildup given to university-sponsored
Black History Month events. If creating a more diverse student body
is truly a priority at ASU, officials must do a better job of promoting
diversity-related events.
COMMENTARY part
3
For a successful
campaign, you need excellent organization
- Editor's
Note: This is final in a three-part series by Student Government
Association Vice President Preston B. Powell.
So you've got
your running mate, filed for office, and just know you have what
it takes to become Appalachian State University's next student body
president and vice president. What's next? The campaign.
Phase V: the
campaign. It is important to plan your attack wisely once the campaign
process begins.
Before you can
do this, there are a few important rules that each ticket must abide
by. First, each ticket is limited to no more than $750 to use in
the campaign. This must cover everything from posters, stickers,
brochures, lumber for bi-folds, paint and printing costs. If you
had any pictures made for the use of promoting yourselves, then
these must also be included.
But don't worry,
you don't have to finance the election entirely yourself. Friends
and family members are excellent sources for donations for the cause.
Last spring,
Ryan and I made good use of corporate sponsorships. You would never
believe the number of local, state and national businesses that
would love to help you with your endeavor.
I can attest
to the generosity to many different local lumber companies and restaurants
that will offer their support. All you have to do is ask.
All successful
tickets must have a strategic plan. This includes personally calling
and scheduling meeting times to speak with Appalachian State University's
various clubs and organizations.
Just a few of
these include Student Government Association (SGA), Campus Resident
Student Association (CRSA), Black Student Association, Appalachian
Ambassadors, most Greek organizations on campus, and each residence
hall's weekly meeting.
Scheduling all
of these meeting times is a tedious task. Make sure to hit as many
different student organizations as humanly possible.
Now, the campaign
manager comes in. Ryan and I are grateful to this day to have had
Joanna Clary for our campaign manager, who was responsible for organizing
every meeting and public appearance that we had. She was the greatest
competitive advantage we had in winning the election.
In addition
to a great campaign manager, finding the right staff is crucial
to your success.
Once again,
without the amazing work of a great staff, your chances of winning
are nil. Find people who share your common interests, and you'll
be surprised that many friends, and sometimes, complete strangers
will enjoy joining your team.
Be prepared
to be exhausted. Campaigning is a tiring process. If you are serious
about it, you want to spend every available second meeting as many
people as you can, trying to convince them why you would make the
best choice.
Last year we
would average over six meetings a night with student groups. Balancing
this can be interesting.
Doing all of
this combined with a little luck can create a winning campaign.
It will be something that you will never forget. But the work is
just beginning.
Phase VI: building
your administration. The chancellor swears in each new president
and vice president on Reading Day of the spring semester.
In the month
preceding this, the newly elected officials select their executive
and legislative cabinet. Our cabinet consists of 10 positions ranging
from director of research to director of student affairs. The old
cliche, "To the victor come the spoils" applies here.
Just as in national politics, individuals who worked hard in getting
their people elected are usually awarded for their hard work with
these cabinet positions.
It is important
to select the very best people. You will be spending a lot of time
with them in the future, so choose wisely. I could not be more proud
of our current SGA cabinet.
Ever since the
summer, we've been working on all sorts of platform initiatives
and policy changes. If elected, expect to do the same. While it
is a lot of hard work, the reward in knowing that the life of students
here at Appalachian has been improved is incredible.
Making the
decision to run for public office here at Appalachian State was
one of the best I've ever made. The lessons learned and experiences
will help me in the future in a way few classes can match. You also
see how this university runs behind closed doors and that SGA really
does have the power to make a difference.
I have only
begun to speak about this entire process.
A full explanation
of the electoral process from start to finish would fill an entire
newspaper. It is my hope that this brief, yet illustrative look
at the student body elections process will convince others in believing
that they too can make a difference.
My office is
on the second floor of the Plemmons Student Union and I welcome
anyone who has any questions about running for office, elections,
or if you just have a good idea and want to know how to put it into
action.
You don't have
to be in SGA or any other organization to make a difference. What
is required is persistence, the right planning and your dreams of
becoming Appalachian's next student body president or vice president
can happen.
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