Without active members participating in Pierce College’s student senate, the organization found itself inoperable during their first weekly senate meeting Tuesday in Woodland Hills, Calif.
This semester, the Associated Students Organization (ASO) has not received any applications for its senate, and without senators the government cannot vote on issues or allocate funds.
“We don’t have a functioning government yet, but we need one,” said Brad Saenz, the ASO advisor. “We need at least three applicants before we can function as a student government.”
This means that without student participation, nothing is getting done.
“Right now, our main thing we’re dealing with is getting a student government, but that’s not going to be a struggle for too much longer,” Kevin Sparks, the ASO vice president, said. “We all want a senate, so I think we are all willing to work hard to get it,” Sparks said.
ASO is currently accepting applications and plans to extend the deadline if more time is needed, according to Sparks.
“I’ve never been in a position where we haven’t had a senate,” Sparks said.
Paulina Antounian, 18, said she was in the process of signing up for senate after the meeting adjourned.
“I want to help the school out and make it more involving for students,” Antounian said.
The Media Arts major decided to get involved with the senate to alleviate the effects of budget cuts.
Senators need a 2.0 GPA and cannot be on academic probation to participate.
Applications can be found online at www.pierceaso.webs.com.
Sparks plans to recruit new senators during the ASO Welcome Day event Sept. 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in The Great Hall.
“I would like to have a big senate,” Sparks said. “I want to inspire people to be in ASO.”
Without senators, students at Pierce have no representation, no vote on fund allocation, and no say in matters that affect all Pierce students.
For more on the ASO, visit www.theroundupnews.com.
