When John Lopez was first told about the Student Government Association elections, he heard that one position had a candidate running unopposed and the other one might be open.
Lopez was told that the position of treasurer might be open because Tamera Langdon might have her term limit up if the amendment to extend her term limit didn’t pass. The constitutional amendment did not pass, with 59% of the students voting no on it.
Lopez added that after hearing about the treasurer position he inquired about the position of president, where he learned that current legislative liaison Alan Crane would be running unopposed.
“I like to see a lot of representation, at least a choice, especially at the leadership position. I wanted to give students a choice of who to pick, and not say ‘well there’s your leader,'” Lopez said.
That prompted Lopez to run for president, and in a surprise victory, the computer science major was elected by the students of Bakersfield College.
Lopez mentioned that this will be his first time holding a leadership position. “It’s not like I haven’t practiced any leadership skills. This will just be the first time that I will be looked at. I have to lead where people want to go,” Lopez said.
Lopez reiterated his desire to let students know about the SGA and to let them know about the benefits of participating in student government.
Lopez said that he wants to make students aware of the opportunities that they are presented with at BC. “If you believe in doing something then you have no limitations. I want to have the SGA provide something to the students that they can remember so that, the question is no longer ‘who is your SGA?’ or ‘who is your president?'” Lopez said.
Lopez dismisses the notion that some students have about the SGA doing practically nothing for them. “What I really want to do is give back to the students, so that way none of the students feel that we (SGA) are an exclusive group that does their own thing but that we do give back to the students,” Lopez said.
Lopez, who won the presidency over Crane, elaborated more on his plans for his term in office. “One of the things I want to focus on is the Campus Center, especially some of the benches. I have heard a lot of talk about wireless Internet, and I think the students deserve wireless Internet access now,” Lopez said.
Lopez added that he wants to utilize the TVs that are currently not in use in the cafeteria and the Fireside Room., “A lot of students go to the cafeteria and the Fireside Room. I just want to make the TVs functional for them so they can see that we are giving back to the students,” Lopez said.
Lopez stated that he will have an open-door policy so that the students can voice their concerns, “My door will be open as long as I am the president, and you will see me on campus. I won’t be hidden in a room. I want to be the voice of the students, an actual voice, not simply just a paid leader that takes care of himself,” Lopez said.