Student challenges ASF for new goal
Campus Times
February 14, 1997
The Associated Student Federation (ASF) Forum's goal this year is to
"Break the Boundaries."
It has become apparent to one member of ASF, sophomore Valancy Rasmussen,
that these boundaries are at some points never even touched.
Rasmussen, a first year Forum member said she expected many great things
from this organization, but instead had to prepare for entertainment-based
activities rather than student-need activities.
Junior Tracey Landisi, president of ASF responded in saying,"ASF
has a budget that is based on a student activity fee which each student
has to pay, to me student activity equals entertainment."
Upon being elected in April Landisi said in the Campus Times that she
had a goal for ASF.
"I'd like to see us become more of a student advocacy group and
go after what students really need and want."
However, in spite of her disappointment, Rasmussen has decided to get
the ball rolling herself. "There are only three people in ASF on the
Earth Day committee, and six people on the Spring Formal committee,"
Rasmussen said. "It would seem to me that more people would be interested
in Earth Day, than the dance since it [Earth Day] is more of a political
issue and ASF should be dealing with political issues."
As one of the members of the Earth Day committee, Rasmussen has taken
on the goal of getting Vice President Al Gore to speak at Earth Day. "I
am currently in contact with his scheduling secretary, so I am very excited
about it," she said.
"If anyone is going to get Al Gore to speak on our campus, it will
be her," said Scott Mac Kay, ASF Board of Trustees representative.
In response, Landisi has chosen the committees based on what past presidents
have done since, she has been on ASF for the past three years.
"Last year, there were five people on the Earth Day committee,
and most of them stood around and did nothing. That's why we decided to
put people on a committee where they would be useful,"said Landisi.
Also, Rasmussen said most students on campus are not into environmental
or political issues, but by having more speakers come to campus, students
will be inspired to become more involved and aware.
"ASF should be meeting the needs of the students. The national
government takes care of the people, so a student government should take
care of the student's needs," said Rasmussen.
Landisi does believe in a governing system, but, she said, "it's
tough. There is a lot of bureaucracy with students and voicing their opinions,
it's hard to get through with contracts that have been signed, etc."
Rasmussen hopes future ASF members will be as politically aware as her.
"Valancy has a very good view of bringing outside issues to the
La Verne campus. Perhaps she is the most active person on ASF to achieving
that goal," said Mac Kay.