Karla Sorto
The Pierce College Associated Students Organization, the student government in charge of organizing and planning events as well as discussing solutions for student concerns, is currently accepting applications to join their staff.
As stated in their MySpace profile, they support the growth of the Pierce Campus through active involvement with students, faculty and staff.
Their goal is to create a better environment for an overall academic experience through leadership.
“Any Pierce student is able to join with a minimum requirement of five units or more,” said ASO faculty adviser Brad Saenz. “(Students) must also have and keep a 2.0 GPA and must pay the $27 ASO parking fee.
The student body must support candidature by obtaining 75 signatures.
“After dropping off the application and signatures they will receive the senator’s handbook,” Saenz said
Attending Tuesday meetings from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. is another requirement.
Students interested in joining ASO must pick up their applications at the Student Community Center office before Oct. 17.
“The benefits of being a member of ASO are many,” said ASO Vice President Kat Souto. “It goes on your transcripts and it’s a great way to transfer into the school of your choice.”
Some students have already begun to get their student-body approval.
“ASO seems like so much fun. Not only do they do fun activities but through their activities they teach leaderships skills,” said 17-year-old Dina Sharif, international development major. “I’m interested in joining to get involved and participate in planning school activities.”
Once a student has met all the requirements, they can become a senator for any specific department by obtaining signatures from the department chairs.
“When you’re in charge of a department, you are the voice between your department and ASO,” said Social Cultural Chair Shani Simms, 22. “Your responsibility is to meet both ways with both parties to plan banquets or discuss present issues.”
Each ASO member represents a department and makes sure to meet the needs of the department.
“I advise students to join if they care in changing and lowering textbook prices or any other main concern they may be having,” said ASO President Christian Marfil-Amatulli. “We can make a difference at Pierce. We just have to have the ability to let our voices be heard and obtain advocacy to make our school a better place for all.”
ASO has been in charge of planning and instituting book buybacks and the recycling program.
“If you want to see new things on campus, then join ASO,” Simms said. “Anybody can complain, but not everyone can make a change.
Shani Simms, Social Cultural Chairperson, places leis around the necks of Pierce students (clockwise from bottom) Jeremy Utu, Brandon Jones, Clinton Perry and Daniel Rogers while they participate in a prize-giveaway event during ASO’s Welcome Week on Sept. 17 at the Student Community Center. ()