BYU Civic Engagement minor students took a tour of Provo's City Hall on Feb. 5, which shed light on student representation in Provo.
Michael Sanders, the policy analyst for the Provo City Council, led BYU students throughout city hall and shared what happens in each room on a daily basis.
At the conclusion of the tour, students asked questions to City Council members Gary Garrett, George Handley, Rachel Whipple and Becky Bogdin.
One student asked Whipple, whose district includes a lot of students, what was one thing she would like to tell BYU students.
Whipple said she would tell them to register to vote, because it’s difficult to push for what students want if they don’t vote.
“When I try to advocate for students, it’s really hard for other councilors to give that much weight,” Whipple said.
Lindley Richards, a BYU Civic Engagement student, said her concerns about the lack of representation for students were confirmed after the tour.
“If it doesn’t help (a city council member’s) chances of re-election, (they’re) a lot less incentivized to care,” Richards said. “So as a student, you have to advocate for yourself a bit more."
Dalton Kutzen, a Civic Engagement student, shared why he encouraged voting.
“It plays a big part in the politics in how the city’s run and what kind of issues matter,” Kutzen said. “If a lot more students were registered to vote, it’s easier to have our voice heard."
“I think the biggest way to make sure you’re represented, is to be involved and vote,” Richards said.
While voting was a common solution brought forward, Richards also felt there was more the board can do.
“I think as a council member, it’s your responsibility to represent everybody in your district, including non-voting members,” Richards said.
Richards compared this to the responsibility council members have to represent children, even though they can't yet vote for themselves.
Overall, students left the tour feeling compelled to get involved and to encourage others to do the same.
“There’s not a lot of involvement from students,” Kutzen said. “It’s a really powerful effect that we can have as individuals on our community, if we are involved.”
Richards emphasized the importance for all to become involved in the community.
“Very few people actually feel prepared and knowledgeable enough to be involved in politics,” Richards said. “The people who make a difference are the ones who just show up.”