Students deserve responsible leaders

When taking on a role of power, we must also heed the rules of conduct that come with the responsibility.

Whether it be athletes, student government, or club members, as long as we represent Citrus College in any way, we should remember that our behavior reflects on the rest of our peers.

Community college students are relentlessly labeled as lazy, uneducated, and unmotivated.

Surely, this generalization is not valid, yet, when student leaders fail to uphold a higher set of standards, the stereotype holds true.

If one feels that they cannot conform to what is expected of a leader, they should not take on the position.

Having your name on a plaque or embroidered on a polo shirt is an attractive image but it also comes with scrutiny.

Recently, three ASCC members were caught violating the conduct code when they partook in consuming alcohol during the California Community College Student Affairs Association conference in San Jose.

They have since been stripped of their titles and face other disciplinary action.

Perhaps what is most disappointing is the trip was funded by the Student Representation Fee, voted on and paid for by students.

ASCC is not the first organization to falter in behavioral indiscretion, however, this could be a learning lesson to the rest of us.

We are free to choose an anonymous lifestyle, leaving our weekend escapades to be our own business.

However, when we decide to represent our peers on the field or amongst other schools, we not only sign a contract promising that we will fulfill the said duties, but that we will also serve as an upstanding representative of Citrus College.

We are all of age to make our own choices and consume whatever we please. However, during school hours and school-funded activities, we need to remember what it means to act professional.

Furthermore, we need to be cautious of what we publicize.

Technology has given us the gift of being able to relive our lapses in judgment and be a public scrapbook of our lives.

Of course, this is not without our own doing.

Many times we think nothing of expressing ourselves freely through Facebook statuses or tweets, but fail to realize that the things we say online are permanent and therefore can be used against us.

No one is perfect and mistakes are bound to be made, but striving to make conscious decisions when in a position of power is absolutely key.

We cannot forget proper etiquette during times of business and online.

When representatives deviate from their expected conduct, they disappoint their peers, the people who voted for them and supported them.

We should all strive to uphold a high-quality representation of Citrus College, especially when given the opportunity to serve as a leader.