ASUA continued its efforts to reach out to the student body Friday afternoon by holding a seminar for minority students interested in getting involved with student government.

Associated Students of the University of Arizona President Alistair Chapman, Elections Commissioner Adam Falck and Minority Action Council Director Daniela Bernal spoke to a group of about 20 students about the ins and outs of ASUA.

"No matter what your interests are, there's something for everyone," Chapman said during the hourlong presentation.

Bernal said it's important for students to be knowledgeable about issues that affect the multicultural community to get involved with ASUA.

"ASUA has a lot of resources and a lot of capabilities to make an impact on the school," Bernal said. "If more minorities were involved, we could have more events that catered to us."

Chapman said ASUA recognizes the low number of minority students involved with the organization does not accurately represent the larger student body.

"It's not proportionate to what we have on campus," he said. "And we're really trying to change that."

"Things aren't going to change immediately," Bernal said. "It starts with people who are interested to make a difference."

Chapman talked about some of ASUA's major successes this semester, including Michael Moore's speech, the debate between Sen. John McCain and his opponent Stuart Starky, and the busiest early voting site in Pima County.

"With all the positions, you're given the independence and freedom to mold a plan of what you think will impact students," Chapman said.

Falck detailed the process required to run for one of ASUA's 13 elected positions. He said it is important for potential candidates to do research, learn the rules of the elections code and develop a campaign plan that "is feasible and viable."

"There's always more we can do," said Chapman. "We've started a grassroots effort to reach out not just to minority students but to different groups on campus."

He encouraged students who may be unsure about what they would be interested in to visit ASUA's offices on the third floor of the Student Union Memorial Center.

"There's a sense of camaraderie," Chapman said. "It's not a competitive environment. It's a great place to get leadership experience."

Issues of special concern to minority students will be the focus of the university community following UA President Peter Likins' retirement in May 2006, Chapman said. He said minority students can get involved and have a voice on financial aid and Likins' goal of the UA becoming a Hispanic-Serving Institution.

Edward Moreno, a biosystems engineering junior, said he attended the seminar to gain a better understanding of the role ASUA plays on campus.

"After going to this, I understand more of what they're involved with," he said. "Having more meetings and presentations like this would give more students an idea of what they're part of."

Moreno said having people of different races and backgrounds in ASUA would give the organization different perspectives on ways things could be done.

Bernal said Minority Action Council will hold a multicultural week next semester that will include cultural food and dance, an international movie marathon and a diversity luncheon.

She said there will be a multicultural mixer for students from the different cultural centers with food, an open mic and performances Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. in the Cellar of the student union.

Another elections seminar will be held Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. in the Copper Room of the student union, Falck said.