By
Maya Schechter
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Participants will help out with ASUA events, Legislature Luncheons
In high school, Timna Sitzes never thought she would be involved in student government, but as a UA sophomore, she now finds herself sitting at an ASUA desk at all hours of the day.
Sitzes is the first director of Freshmen Active in Campus Events, which operates under the direction of Associated Students of the University of Arizona, which helps students become involved in the school government.
"Basically, we want the students to know that we are a support group, we are here to help them get to wherever they want to go," Sitzes said. "My job is to know everyone in this office and know what's going on at all times - it's a big responsibility, but I couldn't do it without the help of the officers."
The six officers, who were appointed by Sitzes, meet with the senators at least monthly about their positions that include Webmaster, finance chair and social chair.
Sitzes became involved with ASUA when she applied to join Arizona Blue Chip, a UA leadership program, the summer after she graduated from high school. When she was accepted, one of her mentors was Jim Drnek, ASUA adviser.
"He (Drnek) knew I was a political science major, and so he encouraged me to get involved in ASUA," Sitzes said.
During her freshman year, Sitzes volunteered to work for the ASUA Cabinet, and tried to start a few programs geared toward freshmen, such as voter registration and advising.
Sitzes said during this past summer, she realized she wanted more out of FACES and began meeting weekly with ASUA President Ben Graff to create the program's bylaws and choose officers.
"Trying to get involved can be very intimidating for a freshman, and they come out of high school with the mentality that student government is just a popularity contest," she said.
At the first Senate meeting of the school year on Aug. 23, ASUA senators approved Sitzes as the first FACES director and gave her a stipend of $700.
"My salary is very low compared to other salaries in ASUA, but money is not the driving force for me," Sitzes said.
At the meeting, Graff told the Senate that Sitzes worked diligently during the summer and would perform the job the well.
Sitzes and Graff attended 15 freshmen orientations and spoke to more than 400 students about FACES and ASUA during the summer.
"Right now, we have about 100-strong involved members, but I am hoping we will grow," Sitzes said. "We have a steady stream of students coming in here every day to find out about ASUA."
Sitzes said the FACES members are planning on supporting ASUA events, such as Fall Ball 2000 and the Legislature Luncheons, a lunch at the Arizona Capitol which all students are invited to attend.
She said Sen. Matt Bailey has about 35 FACES volunteers helping him out with his Fall Ball project.
"Everyone really appreciates our services, the senators will come up and ask me for help, and then, I find them volunteers," Sitzes said.
Sen. Tricia Williams said she thinks Sitzes has done a good job as FACES director and doesn't know how she would manage without the volunteers she sends her.
"I'm very impressed with our volunteers, they are all really gung-ho about getting involved," Williams said.
While some students get involved in ASUA from the first day of their freshman year and have aspirations of filling the highest ASUA positions, those aren't the students Sitzes is looking for.
"I really want to let everyone know that we are not looking to make future presidents out of everyone and that only political science majors can join," Sitzes said. "It's so diverse in the office, and we have so many services to offer people."
Sitzes wants to encourage all students, not just freshmen, to participate in ASUA.
"FACES is for anyone and everyone, it's primarily for freshmen since they are new to the school, but we have a good amount of sophomores and juniors," she added.
Sitzes said she is confident that the FACES program will remain at the UA due to the amount of student support she has seen so far.
"I was very surprised that Greek Life had such a positive reaction to the program, even 30 girls from my sorority (Alpha Phi) volunteered," Sitzes said.
Sitzes spends many more hours in her office than her required 10, but she feels it is a good experience for her.
"I know I will stay involved with ASUA for a long time, I don't have a certain path which I am headed in, but right now, I am just trying to improve our campus," she said. "I don't know what I would do without ASUA, I love meeting new people and fulfilling the students' needs to become involved."
