Club Rush returns this week

through the process and interview the candidates and then bring it to the Board of Trustees for approval,” Burke said. “So we couldn’t do anything until the board approved it.”

Jared Henderson, public relations major, first attended Pierce College three years ago and said he had been waiting for a food court since then.

“I kept hearing that it would be here soon. I was wondering if it was ever going to show up,” Henderson said.

Students and faculty alike had been waiting for the food court to open for years.

“But for what it is, it was of different games so that we can draw more attention for what’s going to be going on,” Lombrano said.

According to ASO Club Council President André Necochea, they are going have buckets of treats on both days and distribute it out to the organizations for students.

Necochea said there will be about 50 clubs featured at Club Rush. “We had 49 clubs last semester that chartered,” Lombrano said. “This year ASO is hoping to have more than 50 clubs chartered.”

Pierce College Hiking Club, an active organization on campus since fall of 2014 is more than ready to meet new faces.

Secretary for the Hiking Club

Tony Solorzano is in charge of public affairs said the club plans to display photos of hiking trips members have participated in the past to interest potential members into joining their organization.

With the september chill in the air, clubs rush to get organized for their biggest recruiting event of the semester. It is time for Club Rush.

Students have the opportunity to visit booths set up by clubs along The Mall Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Students can participate in activities and enjoy snacks that will be provided to them free of charge.

“I’m really interested to see what kind of clubs we have available this year,” anthropology major Danny Villegas said. “One of my friends is trying to start up a political science club which is something I’ve never heard of so I thought that was really really cool.”

Associated Student Organization President Barbara Lombrano said that the ASO would also have their own table set up during the event for students to stop by.

“We ordered these huge outdoor games like Connect Four and a bunch definitely worth the wait. The food here is well prepared. There’s a lot of different options for a lot of different people,” Henderson said. “Hot options, cold options, quick snacks for those who just need something to grab along the way.”

“Our club’s dream is to basically bring the outdoors to Pierce and to make walking and exercise fun for others to enjoy,” Solorzano said.

According to Bass, the building he acquired for the food court has a specific kitchen layout for specific types of cuisines, which is why the food court currently serves Italian and Mexican food. He also wanted to expand the variety of food options students previously had.

Two of the five food stations in the food court are in operation. Bass has plans to eventually utilize the three empty stations, which would also mean expanding the current menus.

According to Bass, he and his employees have been asking students what other foods they would like to see sold in the food court in an effort to accommodate more diets.

“We noticed that there is a big vegan community here, so we’re going to want to come up with some vegan options,” Bass said. “I was a vegetarian myself most of my life so I understand the need.”

According to Vice President of Administrative Services Rolf Schleicher, the new food court not only helps students by giving them affordable food but also helps them stay on campus and not have to get back in their cars and find parking again when they come back.

Associate Vice President Larry Kraus says he expects that having a food court on campus will boost morale substantially.

“We need healthy minds and healthy foods to be successful,” Kraus said.

It’s important to have insurance when needed most. That’s why Covered California has come to the Pierce College campus to provide easier access for students. Northeast Valley Health Corporation will be on campus all semester long every Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to help students apply and select a health insurance plan suitable for them.

According to the certified enrollment counselor for Northeast Valley Health Corporation, Emily Escobedo, Covered California is the health insurance marketplace where people in California can go to shop and compare on a website.

“Based on a person’s income they would qualify for premium assistance and they would qualify for cost share and reductions,” Escobedo said. “It’s lower than shopping at a private insurance, and it’s affordable.”

Health Center Director Beth Benne, said having Covered California representatives on campus gives students easier access to getting quick information.

“Student’s aren’t doing it. We have too many students that are uninsured, too many students don’t have time, they’re going to school, they’re working,” Benne said. “They’re being penalized when they file their income tax, because they don’t have health insurance, and the fines are getting bigger and bigger.”

The Affordable Care Act have allowed for lower rates available to individuals and small businesses. You must be a resident, citizen or have a work permit to be eligible.

Additional information needed for each individual is a valid California ID or driver’s licence, Social Security number, proof of address and proof of income.

This is the first year that Northeast Valley Health Corporation has come to Pierce College. They have certified enrollment counselors and educators available for students. They have been coming to different colleges in the San Fernando Valley to be of assistance to students in need of health insurance.

Elizabeth Ramirez, consumer relations specialists for Northeast Valley Health Corporation, is one of the representatives who will be available to students on campus on Mondays.

ASO President