Participation in student government is a vital aspect of college life that many Sacramento State students simply do not participate in. For one reason or another, many students do not feel the need to concern themselves with the goings on of their student government?or even know that the letters “ASI” stand for Associated Students Incorporated.

The importance of participation in ASI is very obvious when one sees that $103 of their student fees goes to this organization every semester. And it?s not like participating is hard; students can participate in ASI through a variety of ways, be it running for office, attending ASI Board meetings or simply voting every April.

As election season comes upon the campus, The State Hornet feels it necessary to underscore the need for individual students to care about what happens with our ASI elections. Last year, few students voted and bothered to take the short time required to make their voice heard. The ASI Board controls roughly $5,000,000 each year; all taken from your student fees, but only a select few choose who gets to spend this money.

Sac State has one of the lowest voting turnouts in the CSU system?a true shame for the self proclaimed “Capitol University.” Students need to play their part in selecting their ASI representatives, and that means they have to vote.

This year has seen more candidates emerge than in years past, where uncontested positions were commonplace. But even with the increased participation in this year?s election, we encourage any student who is interested to turn in an election packet and run.

Running for office and winning should never be a given?like it has been in past elections?and by encouraging more people to run, this problem will be avoided in future elections. Not only that, but with more candidates, students will be given better options when going to the polls. So far, this year?s candidates are well qualified, but that doesn?t mean they shouldn?t have to face tough competition before assuming the office that they are running for.

The time is now for Sac State to wake up and start caring about their student government. Vote.