Passage: (1) Our school needs more active student participation. If we want to keep enjoying great programs and activities, more students need to get involved.

(2) Last year, the student government sponsored one school-wide event each month. More than 50 percent of the students in our school attended at least four of these events. In addition, programs such as the peer tutoring program (“Study Buddies”) and the summer intern bulletin board are organized by student government committees and supported by student government fundraisers. At least 40 percent of the school’s students take advantage of one of these programs as well. Yet, only 10 percent of the school’s students are active in student government or serve on committees.

(3) Effective student government requires the involvement of as many students as possible. We can’t keep these programs going without your help. So if you aren’t already involved in student government, think about joining.

Question: In this passage, the author claims that student government is important. How does she support that claim?
A. by explaining the role of student government committees
B. by stating how many people take part in student government
C. by encouraging students to get involved in student government
D. by naming some of the benefits that student government provides