It’s Election Season for ASWVC!

Fellow vikings, spring has sprung! As the flowers blossom (and many of us suffer through horrendous allergies), the time has come for the Associated Students of West Valley (ASWVC) to hold their annual elections. Democracy is a central tenet of a vibrant campus, and we strongly encourage you to make your voice heard by voting!* Ten Executive Board positions will be available to be filled for the 2025-2026 academic year. This may be confusing for some, so please find a handy little guide to help you make sense of it all. 

What is ASWVC? 

ASWVC is the student government of West Valley College, and advocates for the voices of all West Valley students. In addition to the ten elected Board members, there are also a number of appointed Senators who serve as liaisons between students and the Executive Board members. 

What are the different elected positions?

There are a number of positions, with each of them having different duties and responsibilities. 

• The President serves as the link between ASWVC and the college’s administration, attending a number of different meetings to report and represent the interests of the student body.

• The Vice President serves as the Chair of the weekly Senate meetings, in addition to leading the Bylaws committee. They are, in essence, the sheriff of ASWVC, enforcing the rules of the ASWVC Constitution.

• The Director of Finance oversees the financial aspects of ASWVC, managing budgets and club reimbursements. They additionally serve as the Chair of the Budget & Finance meetings.

• The Director of Marketing is responsible for the branding and publicity side of ASWVC, managing the social media accounts of ASWVC, alongside chairing the Outreach committee.

• The Director of Records is in charge of all ASWVC records, ensuring that the agendas, minutes, and committee records are accurate and up to date.

• The Director of Student Engagement is the main planner of student-led events, working jointly with the Director of External Operations to brainstorm, coordinate, and carry out these projects. They also serve as the Chair of the Activities committee. 

• The Director of External Operations works in tandem with the Director of Student Engagement, contacting vendors and other exterior entities to plan and ensure the well-functioning of these events.

• The Student Trustee represents West Valley students at the West Valley - Mission District Board of Trustees meetings, and serves as liaison between the Board and West Valley students, bringing attention to any issues that impact the college’s students.

• The Director of Club Relations is the coordinator between the college’s many clubs, helping clubs whenever the need arises and ensuring that clubs stay active on campus.

• The Director of Student Advocacy is a new role, and will seek to incorporate students’ feedback on issues that require the Senate’s attention.

When are elections and campaigning?

Elections will be held during Week 11 of the semester, from April 14 – 18. Voting will be open from noon on Monday, April 14 to noon of Friday, April 18.

Who can vote?

Any currently enrolled West Valley student can vote, simple as that!

How do we vote?

Voting will be conducted electronically through Campus Connect. To access Campus Connect, simply log into your West Valley portal. There, click on the Apps & Tools banner at the top of the page, before clicking on the Campus Connect icon. 

Additionally, a Canvas announcement with a direct link to the ballot will go out on Monday, April 14. Your school credentials (student email) will be required to access the ballot, in order to avoid double-voting. 

I’m interested in learning more about the candidates. How can I get more information?

ASWVC meets every week at 4:00 P.M. in CHE 122-124 (the large classroom next to the Entrepreneurship Center). During the April 8th meeting, panels will be held, allowing members of the public and senators to ask questions to the candidates. You can also follow ASWVC on Instagram: @aswvc

When will the election results be posted?

The election results should be available the week following the elections, most likely on April 21. The Helm will most likely cover the results in our May 2025 issue.

*Please note, The Helm does not endorse any candidate, as stated by our editorial policies and neutrality guidelines.