ASG and students share concerns and complaints over lunch

Officers of SFCC’s Associated Student Government (ASG) served-up soup, salad and answers in an open forum held Wednesday, Nov. 14.

ASG invited students to eat a free lunch, meet the officers and discuss campus policy changes at a meet and greet in the cafeteria. Kim Jones, Academic Vice President and organizer of the event, wanted to make the ASG accessible to the student body.

“We are your voice to the administration,” said Jones. “This event is to meet the new staff and the ASG in general. “You get to know us as ASG individuals.”

IRP Club Representative Rockford Radke indicated a need on the part of the ASG to better understand their constituents.

“We want to hear from people,” said Radke. “We want to hear about their issues and situations.”

After having lunch, the ASG gathered to answer questions about recent policy changes on campus, including the new smoking policy, campus construction and Higher One.

Jones explained the origins of the smoking policy, as well as the Security Department’s plans to begin fining students for smoking in unapproved areas begining Winter Quarter.

“This quarter was a grace period for smokers to adjust to the new policy,” said Jones. “Starting this winter the Security Department will begin fining smokers who break the rules, $10 per violation.”

When the conversation turned to Higher One, ASG officers fielded questions from students to the best of their ability but were also quick to admit that they don’t have all the answers.

“CCS’s financial department was in charge of the decision (to partner with Higher One),” said Jones. “It really wasn’t openly discussed.”

Ben Mancke, a student at SFCC, was concerned with the school’s choice to partner with Higher One.

“What’s being done about Higher One,” asked Mancke, “and who made the final decision?”

Jones responded by explaining the structure of CCS’s District Business Office.

“Keith Foster, the Chief Financial Officer, probably made the final decision,” said Jones.

The ASG then announced the formation of a committee which will handle student cases in relation to Higher One.

“We are working with SCC to create a committee to gather and present student concerns about Higher One directly to the company,” said Jones. “If students have concerns about Higher One, or any other school related issue, they should come to the ASG so we can voice those concerns to the administration.”

Alicia Villa, ASG’s Lecture Programmer, ended the forum with a discussion of the new Administration Building and the contest open to all SFCC students to name the newest structure on campus.

“The winner of the contest will receive a lunch with President Gullickson at Downriver Grill,” said Villa. “We’re shooting for Hall of Justice.”