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Senate
proposes two new committees
By
Daniel Linck Savino
Online Forty-Niner
Assistant Opinion Editor
During
Wednesday's Associated Students, Inc., (ASI)
Senate meeting, groundwork was laid to make
the ASI more transparent and diverse, and
two committees addressing those issues will
be created. The Senate also officially recognized
two new campus clubs, filled a commission
vacancy and appointed a new associate justice.
Senator
Uduak-Joe Ntuk, has proposed to make a Transparency
Ad Hoc Committee and a Diversity Ad Hoc
Committee. Ntuk described the two committees
as being designed to see "what we can
do for the students." The idea for
the committees, which was approved by all
present senators, is also supported by ASI
President Mike Johnson.
Concerning
the Transparency Committee, Johnson said,
"I think everything we do should be
out in the open." He believes, however,
that the committee should not find any surprises.
"We definitely don't try to hide anything,"
Johnson said.
Johnson
also approves of the Diversity Committee.
"One thing we pride ourselves on at
this campus," he said, "is being
understanding of all cultures, of all areas
and making sure that we're inclusive of
them all."
As
of the close of business Wednesday, the
committees are in a preliminary stage of
development. According to ASI Executive
Director Richard Haller, student input will
be sought next.
The
process will involve asking students "what
it is that they're looking for in a policy
[and] what they want it to address,"
Haller said.
Though
the students and the Senate will ultimately
determine the shape the committees will
take, Haller will provide guidance throughout
the process.
Haller
stated that his involvement will center
around "primarily helping them with
format, making it a cohesive document, pulling
in research and samples from other organizations
and corporations." In broader strokes,
he said that he will be "helping [the
Senate] to articulate in writing…
what direction they want to take."
Senator
Morgan Wheeler is a staunch supporter of
the formation of the committees. He intends
to help in designing the committees, and
will""be making sure that it's
exactly what the students want, that it
reflects the needs of the Associated Students
and effectively brings results to this campus."
Wheeler
stated there is a definite need for such
committees. "It addresses something
that student government has been lacking
for a long time," he said. "We
just don't have something that addresses
those issues."
The
Senate officially recognized two new clubs
on campus. They are Students Engaged in
Community and College Against Cancer. The
former is a community service-oriented group,
while the latter is a student chapter of
the American Cancer Society. Senator Hironao
Okahana remarked, "I'm very happy that
students are involved in a national-level
movement."
In
other Senate business, Monique Henley was
chosen to be a student-at-large representative
on the Elections Commission. Another vacancy
was filled when the Senate unanimously appointed
Cynthia Villalpando to be an associate justice.
Having
recently transferred to Cal State Long Beach
from Santa Monica College, Villalpando brought
with her an interest in participating in
student government. "I like to be involved
on campus," she said.
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