ASGCU

The creativity of the Samuel Yonan-Bret Malkin campaign paid dividends when all the votes were counted late Friday night. Yonan-Malkin were elected as president and vice president, respectively, of the Associated Students of Grand Canyon University (ASGCU) over the team of Jacob Montgomery and Anthony Clark. Along with humorous posters, the winning pair used an interactive billboard to exchange ideas with potential voters, asking them to write down what they “Don’t Stop Believing in …’’. Among their proposed initiatives for the 2019-2020 academic year: a Church Fair and adding a House of Representatives to ASGCU to include more students. One member from each of the approximately 150 clubs on campus would comprise the HOR.

The platforms are prepared, the debate topics are polished and the flyers are posted for the next election cycle for the president and vice president of the Associated Students at Grand Canyon University (ASGCU). In one corner, Samuel Yonan is running for president with v.p. running mate Bret Malkin versus Jacob Montgomery, an aspiring president, and Anthony Clark, his v.p. choice. The debate will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, on the first floor of the Student Union, North Dining Hall. Refreshments will be served as the candidates share their vision for the 2019-2020 academic year.

It’s on Us conversations can be difficult, if not heart-wrenching. Yet GCU students are willing to discuss issues surrounding the prevention of sexual harassment and sexual assault. Along with the emphasis on being an active bystander, the Associated Students of GCU have raised over $3,000 for StreetLightUSA, an organization committed to helping young girls at risk for or victims of child sex trafficking.

The leaders of the Associated Students of Grand Canyon University are taking “It’s On Us” Week beyond the important emphasis of preventing sexual assault. They aim to help StreetLightUSA build a school for victims of child sex trafficking, by planning a fundraiser designed to yield $10,000 in student donations that will be matched by the University. The fun part of the fundraiser is the Stampede button.

The roar of voices in hundreds of conversations permeated Thunderground on Wednesday afternoon, a testament to the success of the Out-of-State Social. Students from Maryland to Minnesota to Miami met and talked, creating new bonds. Over 400 students attended and stayed double the scheduled time, thanks to a willingness to meet each other amid an assortment of dynamic activities, including Uno card games, bowling, billiards, Foosball, ring game and Jenga.

GCU’s Move-In tradition continues with the ultimate warm welcome, beginning Friday when Welcome Crew members arrive on campus. As students, faculty and staff once again personally move students into their rooms, it sets the tone for a pay-it-forward campus culture. Move-In kicks into high gear on Monday, Aug. 20, and the entire week is filled with activities designed to help freshmen and transfer students make friends and settle in while returning students catch up with friendships and dive into leadership roles.

The leaders of the Associated Students of GCU (ASGCU) are running a small business this summer. In preparation for the school year, they are planning events, budgeting, hiring vendors and student leaders, and publicizing their efforts to maximize student engagement. Each of the four leaders brings leadership experience to their collaborative effort, thanks to their campus jobs.

It might appear to be time for summer chill instead of summer sweat, yet with hundreds of events and activities to plan the mode is busy for the 14-member staff of GCU’s Office of Student Engagement. Nearly 600 activities were planned and executed under the umbrella of Student Engagement last school year, not including hundreds of events managed by the 126 clubs. “It’s not the volume [of events] but the engagement,’’ said Jeremy Mack, director of Student Engagement. “We want to make students feel welcome on campus while making friends.’’

Grand Canyon University supports initiatives that provide legal clarity for DACA students. There are 300-400 DACA students currently on our campus and we will continue to support and embrace them as they pursue their education and build a better future for themselves and their families.

Next week, GCU students will take to the polls and exercise their civic duty to elect a new ASGCU president and vice president. As you see all the posters and fliers around campus, take an opportunity to meet the candidates and learn their intentions for next year. Amber Christenberry, junior secondary education major, and Andrew Cuckie, sophomore finance and economics major, both have experience in leadership positions on campus.