“I know it has something to do with student government, and that’s thanks to your poll,” said student Morgan Richards.
Richards’ knowledge about the ASYC (Associated Students of Yuba College) seems to be similar to that of many other students on campus.A survey conducted, randomly distributed to 300 participants, by “The Prospector,” found that many students have little knowledge of the ASYC and the representatives’ duties. The results, with a +/- 5 percent margin of error, are as follows:
Do you know what the ASYC is? X percent answered yes. X percent answered no.
Do you believe Yuba College’s student government (the ASYC) has accomplished anything significant this semester? X percent answered yes. X percent answered no.
Do you think members of the ASYC are approachable? X percent answered yes. X percent answered no.
Do you think that the ASYC represents the students of Yuba College well? X percent answered yes. X percent answered no.
How would you grade the performance of the ASYC? X percent gave the ASYC an “A” X percent gave the ASYC a “B” X percent gave the ASYC a “C” X percent gave the ASYC a “D” X percent gave the ASYC an “F” X percent know so little about the ASYC that they couldn’t give a grade.
Before taking this survey, were you aware that Yuba College has a student government? X percent answered yes. X percent answered no.”People don’t pay much attention to campus activities,” ASYC Senator James Hall said in response to the results. “I announce in all my classes that I’m on the ASYC and ask if anyone has any questions or concerns. No one ever says anything. Most people just take like two classes and they’re gone.”
“A lot of people don’t realize the good things ASYC does,” added ASYC President Alice D’Ambrosio. “I encourage you (the students) to attend a meeting and get a better feel for the government.”
According to ASYC members, the student government’s main duties include planning student activities, distributing money to clubs and other organizations on campus, and scheduling vendors on campus.
ASYC has organized several activities and events this semester including the ceremony held in honor of the one-year anniversary of the September 11 attacks and the Homecoming dance on October 6. ASYC members also volunteer their time in helping at other events such as the Career Fair and community college conferences.
At its November 14 meeting, the council discussed solutions to student credit card debt. “Should we allow credit card vendors to continue coming to the campus?” asked Paul Mendoza, ASYC advisor.
The council will not make a final decision on the issue until more council members are present for the discussion. In the meantime, the ban on credit card vendors on campus has not been lifted.
With all of this work, why is it that most students on campus don’t know anything about the ASYC? “Students don’t know that they’re allowed to go to them with concerns,” said student Michelle Morgan. “Maybe they should put more specific flyers up. Tell me why I should go to your meeting. You could also place them where students will actually read them, like in the bathrooms.”
“I send out mailings and flyers to Yuba College students every year,” said co-advisor Elizabeth Bowman. “It has all of kinds of information on the ASYC, including election dates.”
According to Bowman, only 138 students voted in last year’s ASYC election. “That’s about average for this campus,” she said.
Bowman said the 2003 election process will begin in March rather than mid-April. “If we start in April,” she said, “the actually voting will not take place until late May, and by that time, students are gone for the summer.”
If you have comments or concerns for the ASYC, you can attend an ASYC meeting every Thursday at 12:00 p.m. in the cafeteria.
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