Women interested in Student Government involvement can participate in a free, all-day training program Saturday to learn how to launch a successful campaign in October's elections for the SG's legislative body, the Undergraduate Senate, according to JoAnna Smith, director of Women's Initiative.
The Campaign College, which is sponsored by the SG Women's Initiative and the School of Public Affairs' Women and Politics Institute, will be held in the University Club from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The director of female empowerment for WI, Stacia Young, describes the new event as "ground-breaking" and said it is generating a lot of interest among faculty, staff and students.
Smith said the training program began because students wanting to lessen the gender disparity in the Undergraduate Senate. The current Senate is made up of less than 30 percent females, a statistic Smith said is "hardly representative" of a campus that has more than 60 percent women.
Class of 2008 Senator Charlie Biscotto, who will be attending Saturday's event, said a more representative Senate will carry more legitimacy in negotiations with administration officials in the university.
"Some have criticized the Campaign College for the fact that women are being targeted to run, but the reality is that women have been underrepresented in the legislature in the past," Biscotto said.
The program's slogan is "AU Women to Win!" but Smith and Biscotto both emphasize that the event is open to any interested undergraduate or graduate students.
"Men are not being excluded from the program or at all discouraged from attending, as I myself was personally invited," Biscotto said.
Smith said the Campaign College is similar to many political recruitment programs that are conducted across the nation by groups such as EMILY's List and the Feminist Majority Foundation. These organizations, according to Smith, have recognized that "people who run for local or school governments are more likely to run for higher government positions and stay actively involved in national politics throughout their lives."
"Getting women involved in all levels of government is an important issue that deserves as much attention as possible," Smith said. "At the event, [participants] will learn about some of the special issues that women face in running for office."
Saturday's program, which includes lunch, will be highlighted by speakers from the Women and Politics Institute and the SG, including Women's Initiative, Smith said. Topics will include an overview of the SG, tips on becoming involved and strategies for an effective campaign, she said.
The Women's Initiative is only in its second year of existence as an SG department and is a non-partisan organization designed "to make American University a safer, more comfortable, helpful and empowering place for women," according to the SG Web site.
Students interested in the Campaign College can download the program's registration form at www.ausg.org/departments/wi.
