The deadline for Associated Students Inc. election is approaching. Students interested in running for ASI Board of Directors position for 2011-12 elections must apply by March 18.

The application process requires several steps, the first being a mandatory workshop.

ASI orientation leader Patricia Mata, who is organizing this year’s student body election, helped students during the Feb. 23 Green and Gold workshop. Mata said candidates are required to attend one mandatory workshop, like the Green and Gold workshop, prior to March 17 that will help students understand what it takes to run in office for ASI.

Application packets are due Mar. 18. In the packet students will find application for candidacy and acknowledgment of forms and information, letter of intent to run, authorization for academic information release, election complaint resolution agreement, a $50 deposit, campaign expenditure report and an ASI election complaint form.

Although the application process is lengthy, being a part of ASI as a representative of Sacramento State requires even more endurance said Rylan Gervase, ASI executive vice president.

“When I came here as a freshman I wanted to take advantage of every opportunity on campus. I didn’t want to limit myself,” he said. “I wanted the whole college experience and I believe ASI is part of that college experience. You get to be a leader while in college and you get to see the insides of political issues and future working environments.”

ASI is a place where students can challenge themselves and succeed, Gervase said. It helps students set goals and to implement them. However, he said ASI requires a lot of personal time and commitment, so it is difficult to manage both classes and ASI.

Although every position was filled in last April’s elections, theprevious electionshad many uncontested spots; many students faced personal conflicts between schedules, which left positions unfilled.

For this year’s elections all positions have been applied for except for director of education and director of health and human services.

Mata said the reason she ran in 2009 for the Social Science and Interdisciplinary Studies position was to grow as an individual. She said ASI gave her the advantage of networking with different resources and well as gain leadership and communication skills.

“Even if you are not successful the first time, try again. It’s a learning experience. Most likely ASI will be students’ main opportunity to get involved in their campus community,” Gervase said. “When you take on ASI, you get to meet everybody and develop great networking skills.”

As the March 18 application deadline approaches, students must know what changes they want to make while in office, he said.

“I am a strong believer in great leaders are made, not born; I love ASI because of how challenging it can be,” Gervase said. “It forced me to become a better leader and public speaker, how to network and most importantly teaches students how to set a goal and achieve that goal. My advice is to not get discouraged if you don’t win initially. Try again.”

Yvette Villasenor at [email protected]