Student representatives often absent ASO must attend meetings and sustain pressure to attain goals

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 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.

City stands strong in wake of marathon tragedy Bombing brings grief to Bostonians but proves hometown pride

Column

Roundup reporter

Danielle Meegan dmeegan.roundupnews@gmail.com

Beantown. The Hub. The Cradle of Liberty. City of Champions. These are just a few of your nicknames. But I have just one: home.

When I first heard the news of the Marathon Monday bombings, my heart stopped.

The images of the marathon participants and onlookers running for safety while selfless volunteers and police officers rushing to those in need will never escape my mind.

These alleged bombers did not just attack a marathon, they attacked my backyard, my home, and my family.

You may be a big city, but you’re small enough for everyone to know

Q: Did you vote in the ASO elections?

Out of 14

-Corrections-

Volume 118 - Issue 7 each other and become a family.

On page 2, the editorial falsely stated that public meetings were held in the Great Hall in previous semesters.

I’m sure you understand my thoughts on the two brothers who attacked you without actually saying the words. But I will say this about them.

I hate what they did to you. I hate what they did to your people by making them feel extreme fear and pain. I hate how they made me feel by bringing out a side of me that I hope to never see again.

I wanted them dead, but after rationalizing the actual outcome, I wanted them captured alive, so we could find out why these heartless men would terrorize and harm you.

“Marathon Monday,” or Patriots’ Day, is a time for us to relax and party and celebrate our freedom in this country. Every year at this time, the world gets to see your beauty as marathoners run through your historic streets.

We’re able to enjoy a sports-filled day with the marathon and the Sox playing a morning game a mile away.

You’ve given me so many memories over the past 24 years, especially some in the Back Bay where the finish line was.

The times I was at the marathon as a kid. The countless games spent at Fenway and following my superstitious routine that worked every time. All those years I attended, as well as worked, the Boston 4th Celebration at the Hatch Shell on the dirty Charles River, where M.I.T. can be seen across the way.

But now these memories will be tarnished forever because of these two cowards.

You’re a strong city and your people are stronger. America saw every second of it last week.

Marathoners continued for another two miles after the finish line to donate blood at Massachusetts General Hospital. Your locals in the Back Bay welcomed participants, volunteers, and officers into their homes for food, water, as well as a place to sleep since the hotels were on lockdown.

You even shut yourself down to find one person and your people appreciate it because we wanted these men caught.

Two days after the bombings, your locals attended a Boston Bruins game to prove to these cowards that we are strong and fearless by singing a hauntingly beautiful rendition of our national anthem.

Within 24 hours after The One Fund was recreated, $7 million was raised to assist those injured. Sports fans everywhere bowed their heads for you. The New York Yankees put aside the rivalry and prayed for you by singing the Sox’ unofficial anthem, “Sweet Caroline.”

I love you with all my heart. So, blast Dropkick Murphys’ songs, pop “Good Will Hunting” into your DVD player and continue those fabulous duck tours on the Charles. You will pick yourself up again because you are strong. And even though you are 3,000 miles away, Boston, you will always be my home.

HOPE: A participant visits the information booth at the Relay for Life 2013 event at Woodland Hills on Saturday, April 20. Each year, more than four million people in over 20 countries take part in this global phenomenon and raise funds and awareness to save lives from cancer. The two-day event raised more than $50,000, according to the Relay for Life website. For the full story, visit theroundupnews.com.

Incident Report 4/15 – 4/22

4/16 -- BURGLARY, PETTY THEFT WITH PRIOR CONVICTIONS, POSSESSION OF BURGLARY TOOLS -- A non-student male suspect was arrested in the men’s locker room in the South Gym after he was found to be burglarizing lockers.

Sheriffs were called to the South Gym after the suspect was discovered to be a transient, according to Associate Vice President of Administrative Services Larry Kraus. Further investigation revealed that he was using one of the lockers to keep items that he’d stolen, Kraus said. “There have been reports of stolen items in lockers and [the suspect] could contribute to it,” Kraus said.

4/17 -- GRAFFITI -- Between April 15 and 26, an unknown suspect scratched words into the glass mirror of one of the men’s restrooms in the new library.

Pierce College Sheriff ‘s Station General Info: 818-719-6450 Emergency: 818-710-4311