Pantry's back in session Promoting student success, one necessity at a time

BRYAN CARBALLO Reporter @BRCreport

The AFT Local 1521A executive council voted Monday, September 16th, to remove current president Velma Butler immediately.

According to the results of two internal investigations, Butler is accused of allegedly stealing thousands of dollars from the union treasury for personal use and retaliating against members who spoke out against her.

Butler was replaced the following day by Ruby Newbold, a temporary AFT administrator.

jbertel.roundupnews@gmail.com

Brief: Potential Impeachment

ASO senators discuss removing new president

JESSE BERTEL News Editor @JesseBertel JACKSON HAYANO News Editor @HayanoJackson

ASO members requested an impeachment hearing for ASO President Miguel Orellana during a senate meeting on Tuesday, September 24.

Vice President Stephanie Lopez, Club Council President Nicole Alfaro and Treasurer Brandon Le read off a list of offenses that they believe Orellana committed during his presidency.

One of these offenses included breaching privacy by taking senators applications when he wasn’t supposed to.

Le claimed that the applications contained sensitive materials such as student transcripts, addresses and I.D. numbers.

“Taking the senators applications posed a security beach, specifically a breach in privacy because of the potentiality of replicating or revealing the private documents when they were supposed to be disclosed in a private place,” said Le.

Orellana is also being accused of missing mandatory meetings, not being present during his office hours and not participating in the ASO booth during Club Rush.

Orellana claimed that these offenses are misconceptions and that the mistakes he made were unintentional.

“As a non-traditional student, I have a non-traditional way of doing things. I believe that this is a big misunderstanding,” said Orellana.

Orellana said that these offenses should not warrant an impeachment hearing, and that the ASO should be focusing on more important issues.

“This is so early in the semester to be nit-picking at someones learning process, and I think that’s a big waste of time,” said Orellana.

ASO voted on a motion to move the meeting to next week. The motion was passed by a vote of 4-1, with one abstaining.

jhayano.roundupnews@gmail.com

Studying for tests and finishing homework are obstacles for most students, but what if they are hungry and have no place to lay their head down?

The Brahma Pantry is initiating a Basic Needs Support Program.

In addition to offering support by providing food, the Brahma Pantry will now be helping students with other necessities, such as housing, toiletries and counseling.

Jocelyn Sarria, a neuroscience major and a member of the Students Against Student Hunger Club (S.T.A.S.H.), has been utilizing the pantry since its opening last year.

“I want students to know that it’s free,” Sarria said. “I want them to know that no one is judging them and that it’s a safe space for them.”

Sarria also mentioned that the pantry provides students with resources that will benefit them academically.

“Looking into research and statistics, students do better when they have a full stomach,” said Sarria.

D’arcy Corwin, the Brahma Pantry Leader, said that she holds meetings with students so that she can understand any individual necessities they might have.

“Those one-on-one meetings are when I get to really connect with students to see what their needs are, so I can get them those support resources” Corwin said. Students work with Corwin to see what resources are available to them, on and off the campus.

Jackie Macon, a student who goes to the Brahma Pantry, explained how you can get up to 10 snacks a week, and can also get two meal vouchers that can be used for either a subway box or a meal from the cafeteria.

“My favorite snack has to be the honey chips,” Macon said. “ And my favorite meal is the Subway tuna sandwich.”

Another student who visits the Brahma Pantry is Quarterback Luke Flanagan, who comes by everyday to get something to eat before his fivehour practice.

“D’arcy is a saint, she's the best person.” Flanagan said.

In order to qualify, students have to sign what is called a “Welcome Form”. They provide their name, student I.D. and check off a list of additional support resources that they may interest them.

The Brahma Pantry is located next to the old library building, and is open Monday and Wednesday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Students can also sign up for one-on-one meetings, which are held Tuesday and Thursdays.