Wherever decisions affecting the students are discussed and voted on are held, the voice of the students must be present.
But the voice of the students in the Pierce College shared governance system, the Associated Students Organization (ASO), has been noticeably absent from the proceedings of campus government groups.
In the hierarchy of campus government, two groups are directly below the college president: the Academic Senate, the faculty’s voice regarding academic matters, and the Pierce College Council (PCC), the representatives of faculty, staff and students on policy and planning recommendations.
ASO has had spotty attendance at these meetings in the past, and under President Shane Mooney, representatives have been absent from all but one senate meeting and at least two of the last three PCC meetings, according to the meeting minutes available on their websites.
What did the ASO miss at these meetings?
There was discussion of whether or not to move away from Moodle.
The question of whether or not there will be a new student union building or designated student space was raised.
The Student Success Act was explained, which would make students who do not maintain a 2.0 GPA ineligible for the Board of Governor’s fee waiver, thus forcing them to pay the cost of full tuition.
These all touch on something that could be for or against the interest of the student body, but there was no representative present when these issues were discussed.
Though this is true, ASO has not been all quiet.
A group of students and senators took part in a march to rebuild education at the state Capitol in March.
Also, representatives who attended the Academic Senate meeting on March 4 were vocal about returning the Great Hall to student administration, and began a campaign which successfully reformed the fundraising policy.
The ASO plays a vital role at Pierce and can be an influential force on this campus, but they must put a sustained pressure and push to be heard and have their demands met.
While they are not required to attend meetings, having representatives who attend meetings where those who can approve policies can hear them is invaluable.
If the students’ voices are not heard then there is little hope that our interests will be considered, as the administration will not know what the students find to be in our interests.
Our representatives must be passionate and relentless in getting out and telling the faculty what we want and need.
With the ASO elections past, a new group of officers will be taking the reigns next semester, under whom we hope to see a larger presence in shared governance.
There can be a lot of power in the voice and demands of the student body, but it must be brought to those who can meet these demands and hear our voice.
One of the best places to do that is at these meetings.
Representatives, take charge. Your fellow students are counting on you, whether they know it or not.
