You’ve seen the giant “Student Government” banner hanging on the second floor of Muntz. You’ve heard rumblings about student government meetings. You’ve even shared classes with some of the executive members of the Student Government, but do you know who they are, and what they do?Everyday, students sit in the library and lobbies of RWC and utilize the new wireless Internet access that was installed over the summer, but do you know who’s to thank for that?
“We were a pretty big part in getting wireless (Internet) last year,” said Student Government President Edward Lemen.
Lemen has been a member of Student Government for three years. He served as secretary and vice president over his first two years, and is now serving his first full year as President.
As President, Lemen is responsible for various duties within the Student Government. For any legislation that has been passed, it’s his duty to make sure the legislation is being brought through its proper channels. Among other things, Lemen runs the bi-weekly Student Government meetings.
“I’d like to see students participating more in the governance of the college,” Lemen said. “When it comes down to it, we’re paying for our education. We’re paying for this place. We do have the responsibility to help make decisions.”
Lemen is in his fourth year at RWC and intends to transfer to main campus next fall. He has already earned his associates degree from the Criminal Justice program and is working towards the same goal in Chemistry.
Angel Fields serves as Vice President for the Student Government. Fields’s duties include recruiting students for Student Government, organizing student events, and assisting the President with whatever needs he may have.
In her second year at RWC as a Chemistry major, Fields’ primary goal as Vice President is to get more students involved in Student Government.
“Students don’t seem all that worried about what’s going on, other than getting their stuff done and leaving,” Fields said. “They need to be a little bit more involved.”
Fields also works in the Student Life office. Some of her duties as an assistant include overseeing the student lounge.
Senator Tony Hall is responsible for reporting back and forth between main campus and RWC Student Government meetings. Hall is in his first year at RWC, majoring in Pre-Business, planning to soon transfer to main campus to major in Business Administration.
Hall would also like to see more students participate in Student Government.
“People don’t participate in the democracy that exists. If people want things done, they have to voice their opinions,” Hall said. “These campuses run because of us, so what we want and what we want to be done, should be done. We have to be involved.”
Adam Fuhrman serves as Treasurer for Student Government and is responsible for managing the budget. Fuhrman, in his second year at RWC majoring in Chemistry, is also on the Computer Technology committee and works in the Math Lab.
Gary Reckelhoff, in his second year majoring in Pre-Business, is the speaker of committee representation. Reckelhoff is responsible for reporting to the President on what other student organizations around campus are doing.
Dorothy “Dee Dee” Van Dyne, a junior majoring in Pre-Law, is Student Government’s only non-executive member.
Students and faculty both are always encouraged to attend Student Government meetings. “Your voice is welcomed and will be heard,” President Lemen said.