Despite campus closure due to COVID-19, the Peralta community college district has decided to continue with plans to hold student elections. According to Gary Albury, director of student campus activities at Laney College, there were plans of canceling elections, but all four colleges– Laney College, College of Alameda, Merritt College, and Berkeley City College — have decided to shift elections entirely online.
Historically, student elections were widely advertised across every campus, and candidates were seen in the quad promoting their campaigns for various positions within the student body government.
Part of campaigning is being able to promote yourself. Albury said, “I think the biggest thing, of course, is for students to be able to kind of campaign, that’s something that has changed since the stay-in order has been in effect”
Though part of the voting process has always been online, the challenge for this campaign term is for candidates to reach students despite no face-to-face interactions.
The Associated Student government is in charge of school budget lists, which consists of necessities that fulfill the needs of staff and students. The budget involves funds for office supplies, event programs, conferences, seminars, and other miscellaneous items and events. The Associated Student government is also in charge of student campus activities such as clubs, social events, and volunteering opportunities.
Candidates must have a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average, be enrolled in a minimum of five (5) semester units at their home campus, and be in good terms with the college and district. Students on academic and/or disciplinary probation cannot serve any position in the student government, on any campuses.
As of Friday, May 8, 2020, no one has declared candidacy for Associated Students of College of Alameda (ASCOA). Current ASCOA President Ysrael Quezon said that the College of Alameda is continuing to keep the application window open for candidacy and is actively searching for students to join.
Links to candidate profiles and voting information can be found at individual colleges.
Campus voting will be open online from Monday, May 11, 8:00 a.m. until Tuesday, May 12, 11:59 p.m. The election is a once-a-year opportunity for students to influence decisions within the district to reflect their goals.
COLLEGE OF ALAMEDA ELECTION (pending applicants)
