Tonight at 5 p.m. is the deadline to declare your candidacy for a seat on ASM. A powerful incentive to throw your hat in the ring is the fact that you and 15 of your closest friends could take over ASM and change its direction forever.

Bothered by the fact that students will be paying nearly double for student-interest groups? Unhappy that everyday issues like parking are being ignored? Shocked that students could be sold down the river when it comes to paying twice for health insurance? With 30 seats open, a small coalition could throw out the current ne’er do-wells and replace them with people of your political stripe.

Imagine the power to spend millions of students’ dollars — or, better yet, let students spend their own money as they see fit. (Don’t forget the ability to pass meaningless resolutions and take all-expenses-paid trips around the country meeting other student-government types — if you’re into that sort of thing).

Although the current edition of ASM suggests otherwise, we believe student government can be effective. But that will only happen if students decide to get involved and remind ASM exactly who they are representing — students — and what that constituency cares about.

Winning would not necessarily be difficult. Last spring, only 11 percent of students on campus voted. When you consider that one person can vote for a candidate multiple times, between you and 15 friends you could easily persuade enough people to elect you.

Still not enough? Just go to the library with your laptop and ask random students to take two minutes of their time to vote online for you. In no time at all you could be the next ASM representative and actually be an effective force for students.