This story has been updated to reflect an accurate budget of $700,000 and accurate application timeframe. A previous version of this story had an inaccurate budget and supreme court application deadline.
By Nigel Lopez
Associated Students of Riverside City College (ASRCC) positions remain mostly empty, leaving a few students disproportionately in charge of over $700,000 in student activity funds.
ASRCC senate serves as the voice of the students by voting on approving RCC clubs, athletics, school organizations like Model United Nations, their budget requests and ASRCC expenses like Club Rush. Athletics, school organizations and clubs are funded by the student activity fee which are collected every semester.
In this current term only five students are filling 50 senator seats. All seven supreme court seats remain empty.
ASRCC supreme court oversees elections and club issues as well as interpreting governing documents. Applications to fill the supreme court are open all year.
Low student participation in ASRCC means that the needs of students may not be accurately represented.
ASRCC President Clarissa Juarez Carrasco encourages RCC students to be more involved in clubs and student government.
“It’s a little bit disappointing knowing that many students aren’t running for positions or just being more involved,” Juarez said. “Being involved in ASRCC gives students a bigger idea of what happens around campus. I got a bigger insight behind the scenes of what faculty actually does … they’re great with giving us help whenever we do need it.”
Elections will be held on May 7 through 8 electronically through student email. Currently 10 students are running for senate. There is only one president and vice president ticket running for the positions.
“As senators we will be the liaison, the middle man, the voice of the students,” said Myisha Buggs, student senator candidate and first-year paralegal studies student.
“People have concerns,” Buggs said. “For instance, the women’s basketball team was complaining about just getting their sweats for the year because their budget’s low. I want to stand in the gaps and be the governing voice to help edify the concerns of the students.”
Student Senator candidate and second year political science student Joshua Padilla thinks student government will help with student recognition and allows students voices to be heard.
“We should be involved with a lot of communities and a lot of people and discuss things that should be addressed,” Padilla said.
“There’s a lack of communication with a lot of clubs and the whole school in general. There’s some people concerned about one elevator not working properly and there’s also concerns with student safety and the health services center. I would like to be there to help students find services,” Padilla said.
“I think ASRCC is really disorganized,” second-year economics student Briseida Sanchez said.
“ASRCC should bring more awareness to the student election process and the benefits of being involved. Promote it on social media, generally streamline the process, and communication needs to be facilitated with students for feedback purposes,” Sanchez said.
