“I didn’t even know we had a student government,” said Yuba College student Brett Griffith. Griffith isn’t alone: Many students don’t know what ASYC means or what it does.
The Associated Students of Yuba College, for the multitude of those unaware, is Yuba College students’ governing body, whose objectives, according to its constitution, are to “provide for an expanded educational and social program, which will stimulate the intellectual and social awareness of the student body.” Many students are concerned that the ASYC has not stimulated enough awareness. “We need to know who they are,” Griffith said. Another student, Vicki Jenkins, relayed, “If we knew who they were, or who to talk to, maybe we’d get involved.”
The council meets every Thursday, at 12:00 p.m., in the ASYC office, located inside the campus center, and welcomes anyone who would like to attend.
The elected body is compromised of nine members: President, Donna Evans; Vice-President, Michelle Agripa; Business Director, Rose Herrea; Activities Director, Viheet Agarwall; and Senators, James Hall, Gurjinder Dhanota, Todd Perkins, Alice D’Ambrosio, and newly inaugurated, Stevie Escovedo.
Although Senator Hall feels that “this council is working great,” there are still vacant chairs on the committee, including Secretary, Communications Director and two Senators.
While the ASYC has openings for officials, students don’t seem to be rushing to fill them.
“No one seems to want us involved. It’s just the same people year after year,” said student Jenny Heaven, as a way to explain students’ lack of interest.
The ASYC disagrees. Its officers feel their is “lack of support” on campus and are eager for students to bring ideas forward, getting involved.
“We should get together and think about activities,” said Agarwall. Though student Paul Garcia feels that the student government should “do something fun,” Evans stressed at a recent ASYC meeting that they are “not here to entertain the students.”
The council does, however, encourage students to come to the meetings and see what is being accomplished.
During weekly meetings the ASYC officers discuss and vote on campus issues ranging from the budget to the vending machines.
“I would say they’re doing a sufficient job. Just because not all of us know who they are doesn’t mean they’re not doing a good job,” said Jenkins.
President Evans had nothing but good things to say about this year’s ASYC members: “I think we’re gonna have a good year once we get started. It’s going to be tough getting started, but once we do we’re going to go strong.”
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