Program Seeks to Increase the Number of Women in Student Government Posts

Women make up about 55 percent of all college enrollments but according to the American Association of University Women, women hold only 45 percent of the executive positions in student government in colleges and universities across the United States.

The AAUW in conjunction with Running Start, an organization seeking to increase the number of women who run for political office, has mounted the Elect Her-Campus Women Win program. The program seeks to increase the number of women running for student government posts in the hope that these women will run for elective office after they graduate from college.

The AAUW/Running Start effort will include visits to 30 college campus this year to train and assist women on running for student government posts. The training includes advice on networking with campus constituencies, maximizing resources for a campaign, and presenting a message that will appeal to student voters.