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About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 31, 2007)
2 Thé Clackamas Print News Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007 Students miss election roll call Student Government finds lack of student voting disturbing Lydia E. Bashaw News Editor The voters are registered, ballots are out, and votes are coming in, yet one group of electorates is still miss ing. In a democratic country where every vote counts, the lack of student age voters is disturbing. According to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, known as CIRCLE, only 20 percent of people ages 18 to 29 voted in the last general election. When applying this statistic to Clackamas, it would mean only 5,000 students out of25,000 votes. According to Associated Student Government President Tim Lussier, young people don’t see the point in voting on issues that don’t affect them personally. “I think people are apathetic when they are young,” said Lussier. “They don’t think they have power.”, ASG’s campaign to register stu dent voters was difficult this year as student leaders worked to ignite vot ing interest “We believe in the power of young people who vote,” said Lussier. “It’s more than student voting; it’s some thing we need to work on. Whether it is apathy or disenfranchisement or not feeling represented, we want stu dents to feel tike they are heard.” Sadly, the numbers are declining as young voters abandon the issues that impact them. “People don’t understand how much their voices mean to legisla tors,” said Lussier. “Student funding often comes down to one vote, and we can make the difference. However, we lose more and more student voters every year.” With most of the ballot measures and concerns during general elec tions forced in the direction of older citizens, many youth don’t grasp how they influence political change. matter to me,” said Tiffany Chambers, a second-year student at Clackamas. ‘T don’t really understand most of tiie ballots this year, and I don’t see how they affect my life. What is the point?” The amount of student voters will be sure to drop, swaying government choices regarding college funding and student rights. Without student inter est, legislators may lose interest as well. “We need to show up,” said Lussier. “The average 20-year-old could care less. [But] the more that politicians hear our voice, the more they will fund our colleges, and that is very important.” General election ballots are due next Tuesday, Nov. 6. “I don’t personally see the point of voting on things that don’t directly Letter: Graphic picture disturbs Letter: PT Equality Soon * Don’t you think the pho tograph on page 6, letter and response from Dr. Kim appear ing in the Oct 17 issue have gone a bit too far? I am not a prude in any sense of the word, but this entire article was highly offensive to me and probably to others as well. •>’ As a staff member, I have the pri vilege of watchsig bright, young minds express ing their thoughts and opini ons on a wide variety of issues and topics as I read The Print. versial or poli tica 1 in order to make people think and assess their core values. Although my opinions may differ from those of the writers, I’m generally not left with the feeling of having wallowed in the gutter, needing to shower. However, this article was the exception. ? * People’s sex lives and pref erence should stay just that PRIVATE! There is no need for me or anyone else to know what sexual pleasures or per versions others seek and have it plastered all over the college newspaper. Dr. Kim is trying to help students, and for the most part doing a good job, but a ques tion such as this should be kept between the writer, who must have e-mai led in her question, and the Doctor. Come on, ladies and gentle men, college is not a cesspool where everyone wants, or needs, to know about the sexual perversions someone chooses to indulge in, complete with details. Let’s clean it up - this world is full of far more press ing matters. Dianna Shepherd, Public Service Department I write to express my disap pointment that contract negotia tions with part-time faculty con tinue without any indication that the administration cares for or is listening to the needs of their part-time faculty. Author Noam Chomsky reminds us that in our society “costs are socialized, while prof its are privatized.” It appears to me that this injus tice applies at our college. A small group of people, in positions of power (who have high salaries, health insurance and full ben efits), continue today to reject the needs of nearly 400 employees. Whether we are full-time or part-time, we all play an equ part in attracting and retainin students. We all play an equ part in making a difference students’ lives. It is time for us to be treats equally. We deserve equal pay f< equal crédit hours worked. V deserve the right to at least pu chase group health insurance. Sincerely, Rob Seemann, Counselor, Instructor Career and Employer Resource Center • Free Wifi • Gift Carts «Ceffee Punch Carts • •Pastries «Quiche« Sam «Hot Daily Specials < • Complete Espresso Bar» Superstze your drink! 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