The USC Undergraduate Student Government has announced the candidates for the annual spring election. Previous voter turnout hasn’t quite met the group’s expectations. Why aren’t students visiting the polls? Anthony Clingerman has the answer.
The Undergraduate Student Government is a student-run organization who provides advocacy, legislative, programming and funding work.
The average election usually receives engagement from only about one-fifth of the undergraduate student body. Last year, 4,451 students participated in the voting. When speaking to students on-campus many weren’t aware of the ongoing election.
Luke Rangel is a transfer Computer Science major who hadn’t heard of the USG or their mission statement.
LUKE RANGEL: I think if it was maybe publicized more about what kinds of issues are going on or what kind of things that people are trying to get changed. I mean, right now, I really haven’t heard of, just like anything would make me want to care about it.
The USG may exist to serve the university’s undergraduate community, but the lack of recognition extends beyond the group’s core demographic. Eduardo Maya is a first year Film Production grad student who also wasn’t aware of the upcoming election.
EDUARDO MAYA: I think for me, the question I have is I’m not exactly sure what they’re doing. I’m sure they’re doing great work, but I don’t know how their work would affect me. And I think similar to, you know, regular elections of politicians, if you don’t know what they’re doing for you or how they can improve things, it’s kind of hard to be engaged.
Likewise, Antonio Costa, a rising junior studying Business Administration also is unfamiliar with USG’s overall outreach strategy.
ANTONIO COSTA: It’s not that I don’t care about it. I believe there’s no sense of awareness about the USG that’s not advocated enough. So therefore, I’m not even aware that it’s happening. I just believe that it’s not advertised enough. Therefore, you can’t reach the student body. Therefore the student body can’t have interest in it.
USG voting will take place the week of February 21st and conclude on the 26th. For Annenberg Media, I’m Anthony Clingerman.