Editor’s note: Director of Business candidate Michael Nguyen’s major was incorrectly stated. It has since been fixed.

For seven Associated Students Inc. candidates, it’s not a matter of if or when they are going to be elected, but what they are going to do once in office.

All seven candidates who are running for director positions will be voted into office with merely a vote, said ASI President Jesus Andrade. Each candidate’s application has been reviewed and all the candidates are currently eligible, Andrade said.

Executive Director Pat Worley said data shows that 39 candidates ran for director positions last year. This year there are 17.

Former and current ASI members are surprised to hear of the low candidate turnout.

Most years, there are at least two people running for each position, said Director of Business Shani Alford.

“I definitely wish more students wanted to take on these positions. …I was really shocked to hear how low the turnout was,” Alford said.

Former ASI President Angel Barajas said he can’t remember the turnout ever being so low. He said the problem could be anything from overly hectic student schedules to a lack of student outreach.

“You have good years where a lot of candidates come out and run, and then the following year can be a low turnout,” Barajas said.

ASI Vice President of University Affairs Chris Ramos said that the best way to learn something is to jump right in.

Ramos said if a candidate can survive the “test of fire,” he or she will do pretty well.

Six candidates are affiliated with the Vision slate. A slate is a group of candidates who partner up and run under the same principles.

Junior Spanish major and transfer student Felix Barba said he sees ASI as an avenue to get involved on campus and make a change.

“I plan on learning as much as possible,” Barba said.

Besides creating a joint council of clubs within the College of Arts and Letters, Barba looks forward to researching the needs of students, while learning more about the university. Barba, who was appointed to the position of ASI customer service representative last month, said he is using the experience as a jumping off point.

“I get to see all the faces, get a feel for what departments do, understand the bylaws, and see how it’s done?how meetings are held, what the positions are,” Barba said.

Freshman chemistry major Ramon Yepez, the only candidate for director of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, said that he decided to run after working with the current director of Natural Sciences.

“I’ve been involved with the joint council that he started this year, so I’m going to continue with that (when elected),” Yepez said.

Yepez interned with the Sac State’s Office of Governmental Affairs last semester.

“I went to conferences with CSSA (California State Student Association) to see what they were doing and lobbied the Capitol for student issues,” he said.

Yepez helped ASI write proposals, and as president of the Residence Hall Association last semester, he organized events for students in the dorms, such as the Blood Drive and Final Care Packages fundraiser.

Junior government major and candidate for director of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies Michael Nguyen shared three goals he would like to accomplish once elected.

Having visited some of the social sciences and interdiscplinary studies’ student organizations, Nguyen said he has the intention of “developing rapports with SSIS students and also to explore the possibility of forming an umbrella SSIS Council.”

He said he plans to work closely with dean of Social Sciences and Interdisciplinary Studies Otis L. Scott and help smooth the transition for students moving into upper division classes and coursework.

“I am very passionate about the workings of government, and I want to know that the students’ interests are always being heard and represented,” Nguyen said.

Aside from having worked as a student assistant to Loyola Law School’s Law Clinic, Nguyen worked for the California Secretary of State’s Elections Division for nearly two years.

Ramos said directors need to represent their college, but be a voice for the thousands of students within that particular college.

Along with understanding the needs of the college and the students within that college, Ramos said they need to “meet with their dean and coordinate academically with their college.”

Ramos said the directors are also responsible for board projects for their college. He said reaching out to voters is important.

“During the campaign, you have to be able to speak to your constituents, so that your constituents who are voting for you know what you’re about,” Ramos said.

She said directors should talk to students about what they want. Alford said commitment is also important.

“(Being a director) definitely takes a lot of time,” Alford said. “You really have to have a passion for what you do in order to be a leader, because I think that’s what’s going to drive you to helping students in any way that you can.”

On top of being a voice for students, sitting on several committees and lobbying for students, Alford said directors are supposed to put on events or programs for their colleges.

Other candidates including Chad Gidel for director of business, Mohammad Farhad for director of engineering and computer sciences, Kevin Chun for director of health and human services and Aaron Pina for graduate director, were not available for comment.

Jacqueline Tualla can be reached at [email protected]