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Student government branches out

Daniel Wilson — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 10:23:58 +0000

The constitution, structure and name change to the former Associated Student Government were decided after changes to the requirements of student governments were made by the Los Rios Community College District for all the schools in the district, according to faculty coordinator Kimberlee Beyrer. Photo By Evan E. Duran sacupcycles@gmail.com

City College bid farewell to the Associated Student Government Nov. 1 and welcomed the new Student Associated Council after the student government decided to change its name along with structural changes and the election of new board members.

According to Kimberlee Beyrer, faculty coordinator for student leadership and development at City College, the constitution, structure and name change were decided on after changes to the requirements of student government were made by the Los Rios Community College District for all schools in the district.

“The constitution was rewritten because the student association needed to comply with the new policies of the district,” Beyrer said. “The student government liked that Student Associated Council as an acronym is SAC.”

Debby Dixon, former ASG secretary and current region two chairperson, said that the first meeting under the new structure was held Nov. 2 and that the council discussed the goals of the semester and the year to come.

“We’re excited about the transition,” Dixon said. “It will allow the senate to focus more on advocating for things like lower tuition for students.”

According to Chris Torres, student affairs specialist for student leadership and development at City College, under the new SAC structure, student government will break into three separate committees each with its own president, vice president and other positions of leadership.

The Student Senate is similar to the former ASG committee in that it deals with advocating and resolution writing for district, state and federal levels, Torres said.

The second group is the Committee for Activities and Events Board, which is in charge of student life and deals with aspects like clubs, events, homecoming and other such activities. CAEB also works directly with clubs to help raise money, getting clubs to collaborate with one another on events that pertain to more than one club, and in some cases with the approval process for certain speakers or events, Torres said.

The final group, the Joint Budget Committee, handles all of the budget issues and concerns for the Student Senate and CAEB, Torres said.

According to Torres the best thing about the change is that it will make it easier for students and clubs to get their ideas and needs addressed by student government.

“Overall, the change is good,” Torres said. “It’ll give students a bigger voice and more opportunities for students to get involved in the legislative affairs on campus.”

According to Dixon, student involvement will be increased not only because the number of senator seats is increasing from 15 senators to 20 but also because the separate councils can focus more on their own goals.

Husham Haroun, secretary of technology for SAC, said that the constitution has been in the works for a year and that City College was the first in the district to get a new constitution completed but that it isn’t without its flaws.

According to Haroun, the constitution for SAC was voted on by students and then ratified and approved last spring, but it will need to be voted on again after edits are made to the many contradictions that were found in the new constitution.

Shinesh Prasad, former interclub president for ASG, said he would not be involved with the new structure but that he thinks it will make an impact on the student body as a whole.

“I think it will be really good,” Prasad said. “It allows each body [of SAC] to focus on each thing they are working on and for them to separate out their duties.”

Public relations commissioner resigns

Matthew Urner — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 00:35:33 +0000

Emma Snuggs resigns from former ASG as students campaign for roles in the City College student government, now called the Student Associated Council. Former ASG President Leedell Williams is running again for president of SAC. |Evan E. Duran| sacupcycles@yahoo.com

Former Associated Student Government (ASG) Public Relations Commissioner, Emma Snuggs stepped down from her position Oct. 5 accusing board members of racial discrimination.

“The board is hostile and unapproachable,” Snuggs said in her resignation speech. “I’ve suffered overt racism and harassment, hostility and discrimination. This shamefu behavior is being modeled by administrators.”

Snuggs, who is Native American, said her concerns about racism arose after ASG President Leedel Williams appointed a majority of African Americans to theDisciplinary Appeals Committee.

“I should’ve been on the disciplinary board,” Snuggs said. “I am a minority and feel like I’ve just been trampled on by my own board and certain administrators.”

Snuggs said Student Discipline Officer Elaine Ader warned Williams that there was a formal complaint against Snuggs. The complaint was lodged against Snuggs after a verbal altercation she had with Admissions and Records, according to Snuggs.

Snuggs said the complaint is old and has no validity.

“They’re just scrounging for ways to keep me off the committee,” Snuggs said.

The committee composed of five students and seven faculty members. When a student appeals a disciplinary reprimand, the committee holds a hearing. Ader claimed there was no room for bias on the committee, and by violating the code of conduct students create a conflict of interest in the appeals process.

“After a few years of experience, I have a rule: Anyone who has violated the student code of conduct should not be on the panel,” said Ader. “There are 21,000 students without
behavior code violations. I’d rather just have five of them.”

Ader said Snuggs is taking the decision personally, when, according to Ader, it is not a personal matter.

“I’ve tried my very hardest to promotes positivity, community and diversity,” Snuggs said.

Reuben Banuelos, vice president of the Indigenous Peoples Club, said, “I fully support Emma. She has always looked out for every group of people,”

Banuelos said he believes everything Snuggs said in her resignation speech about suffering from racial discrimination.

ASG President Williams was responsible for appointing the five students who are currently on the Disciplinary Appeals Committee.

“Ms. Snuggs, nor any student, has ever been the subject of racial prejudice by the ASG under my administration,” said Williams. “Ms. Snuggs was considered as an appointee, but ultimately her appointment was rejected by Discipline Officer, Dr. Elaine Ader.”

ASG Commissioner of Technology Husham Haroun was sitting next to Snuggs during her resignation speech. He said Snuggs had attacked the board over lack of racial
diversity in previous meetings.

According to Haroun, the board should be ethnically diverse and reflect the campus population as much as possible.

“For some time, black students were the only ones showing interest [in the Disciplinary Appeals Committee],” said Haroun. “We didn’t plan that or try to work that in.”
ASG elected Olivia Gover as the new PR Commissioner for ASG shortly after Snuggs’ resignation.

“Snuggs was a very good PR,” said Haroun. “She knew how to get the word out. She was good at getting students involved and promoting our cause. She was very dedicated to her job. We now have someone new. It’s going to take a while for ASG to get up to speed. We have very high expectations for Gover.”

Vote today and Oct. 19 for student leaders

Angelo Mabalot — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 18:06:19 +0000

The Student Associated Council also known as the Associated Student Government is holding elections Oct. 18 and Oct. 19 for its club and events board, as well as student senate.

Competing for presidency in the club and events board are Shinesh Prasad and Taylor Valmores. Kevin Kayhanian and Leedel Williams will be running for presidency for the student senate.

City College students are encouraged to vote. Voting offices will be set up on all three of the City College campuses 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The main campus will hold its ballots in the first floor lobby of the Learning Resource Center (LRC), the Davis Center will be holding it in the main office, and the West Sacramento Center in the e-services first floor.

For more information about the candidates being elected or the SAC in general, contact Kimberlee Beyrer, the coordinator of Student Leadership and Development, at 558-2607 or beyrerk@scc.losrios.edu.

Jack of all trades

Kayla Nick-Kearney — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 23:05:05 +0000

Photo by Kayla Spry

They say the third time is the charm, which is exactly the case with Leedel Williams.

Last April. Williams was elected into his third Associated Student Government office when City College students chose him over Braxton Lethco.

Williams has served as chief justice, a student senator and now, president of the club; and will be up for reelection in October which would mean another term until June.

“I think Leedel is very passionate and fair when it comes to students. That is a big part of being president,” Justin Turner said, who actually appointed Leedel as chief justice last year when he was president.

Aside from caring about student affairs, the ASG president must also interpret the constitution and rule in both student disciplinary situations, as well as lead senate meetings and approve motions according to City College’s constitution.

“All in all he’s very professional and tries his best to abide by the constitution, the Brown Act and Robert’s Rules of Order. He pays attention to motions and if someone doesn’t say a motion correctly, he asks them to repeat it,” said Angela Miller, chief justice.

Williams believes that his past experience in other governmental roles within the club have prepared him for his greatest responsibility yet as president this year.

“The president is the chief executive, chief spokesman and chair of the ASG,” Williams said. “The president is responsible for representing the ASG and the students of City College, on school, district, state and federal levels. As chief executive I supervise the ASG in all areas, with the assistance of the adviser.”

Williams says he is working with the bookstore to enact a book rental program to ensure access to all students. He hopes to increase student participation across campus and gain the school exposure on a state level.

“As a friend he is relaxed, funny, courteous, non-judgmental,” Miller said. “He embodies true friendship and is unbiased, even if that isn’t what you want.”

Williams is a English major and likes Percy Jackson.

“Leedel possess a golden heart and cares deeply for those around him,” Moszaba Carter, associated justice said. “He works diligently to ensure that care for friends and acquaintances passes through and covers the student body.”

Get involved, go green

Serina Martin — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 20:30:32 +0000

The Express Stock Photo

Going green is becoming more than just a movement as environmental awareness begins to grow and root itself into the everyday lives of people across the world. Still the urgency to promote Earth-friendly decisions persists as the problem is far from solved.

This year the City College Honors Club will host its annual Earth Day event on the quad. Members are inviting anyone involved in green projects, sustainability or social justice issues to join them on April 26 from 10 a.m to 2 p.m to spread awareness and promote environmental consciousness.

English professor and co-adviser to the Honor’s Club Dr. Anna Joy says this will be the fifth year the Honors Club has hosted Earth Day activities in co-operation with other City College groups.

“The first year was a collaboration with the Environmental Awareness Club,” says Joy. “This year I think ASG is interested in co-sponsoring.”

Other City College clubs like the Indigenous People’s Club and the Outdoor’s Club will be involved in the festivities.

According to Joy, there will be a wide variety of causes to be showcased during the day’s events, including healthy food vendors, environmental activist groups, family awareness groups, government and non-profit groups, and political awareness groups. Organizations such as the League for Women Voters, the Environmental Council of Sacramento and the First Five campaign have participated in City College’s Earth Day events in the past.

“Usually vendors put up displays and talk to students and other passersby about what they do — their mission,” says Joy. “Sometimes they recruit volunteers, especially if they are non-profit groups.”

For more information or to get involved in this year’s activities contact Dr. Anna Joy at: Joya@scc.losrios.edu or attend one of the Honor’s Club meetings held every Thursday at noon in Rodda North 220.

From soldiers to students

Nicole Head — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 07:13:42 +0000

ASG president Jutin Turner, a former Iraq veteran, advocates counseling for soldiers having difficulty transitioning to student life. The Veteran's Resource Center at City College provides services and assistance for student-veterans. Vincent Fernandez

Transferring from the military life of guns and tanks to a civilian college atmosphere isn’t as easy as some would like to think, but former soldiers and college students are doing just that.

According to the Veterans Resource Center office at City College, there are roughly 430 veterans on campus this semester actively using their educational benefits.

Army veteran Alexis Penalver joined the U.S Army at the age of 17. For three years, he was an infantry soldier in Iraq. Penalver said his job was to fight on foot and engage the enemy face to face. He served three consecutive tours in Iraq and said that he was exposed to a lot of combat and death. After serving his time in the Army, he found it difficult to resume his civilian life.

“I was like a little soda can, you know,” Penalver said. “On the outside it looked normal, but inside, everything was going crazy.”

Veterans transitioning from active duty in the military to home and student life face an abundance of challenges. One of the toughest things for a veteran to do is ask for help, and Penalver said he was no exception.

“Speaking for myself,” he said, “being in the infantry, when you’re asked, ‘Is everything OK?’ your response is, ‘you’re fine.’

It’s easy to get lost in the Veterans Affairs system, according to Penalver. He said his experience with the VA hospital consisted of long waits in the lobby, being introduced to a new staff member hours before being seen by a doctor, and constantly having to retell his story, which he found aggravating.

“I’d meet a different doctor every time. It’s hard to tell my story through paper. They would read it and shoot me more pills,” Penalver said.

According to Fred Gusman, M.S.W, former director of the VA’s National Center of Post Traumatic Stress Disorders, the department of Veterans Affairs was founded in 1930. Its purpose is to provide health care and other services to veterans.

“One of the problems the VA is facing today is its largeness,” Gusman said. “It’s one of the largest health care providers in the country, so it makes it hard to be more personal.”

“What happens is in the military, we are trained to be strong and show no signs of weakness no matter what,” Penalver said. “That’s what I did for about a year or two. By 2005, I was suffering from a severe case of PTSD.”

In 2008, Penalver said he reached a breaking point, and had many thoughts of suicide. For about a year, Penalver spent most of his time checking himself into different facilities until a staff member at one of the facilities told him about a place called The Pathway, located in Yountville, Calif., provides comprehensive clinical services for warriors and recently discharged veterans, and they helped him cope with his depression.

According to Gusman, it has been named the largest PTSD residence in the country. Penalver attended college three times after Iraq. In 2005, he attended American River College for his general education, which he to said trying to cope with being around large groups of people was a hard enough task in itself due to his PTSD. He ended up putting school aside for a while and focused on his government security job.

In 2009, Penalver decided to give school another shot and attended City College. He said that it put him at ease knowing that his wife La’Prea Penalver, a City College cosmetology graduate, was on campus. He later became overwhelmed with his constant fear of being attacked and said he decided to drop out of school.

Penalver later learned a better way to get his education. In August 2010, he decided to take online courses at the University of Phoenix, and said he felt more comfortable sitting behind a computer in the comfort of his own home, than at a desk in a classroom. Associated Student Government President Justin Turner has a similar story. In 2003, he joined the U.S Army where he served as a Cavalry Scout in Baghdad, Iraq. His job was to obtain, distribute and share vital combat and battlefield information on the enemy and report back to commanders and leaders in the field. Before joining the Army, Turner described himself as wild, rambunctious, easy-going, and he didn’t take much seriously.

“During basic training, they brainwash you and break you down, only to build you up again to be what they want you to be,” he said. “They want you to be the best for their field.”

After serving his time in the Army, Turner said he gained a sense of professionalism, but he also battled anger, depression, and sleep deprivation.

“I walked around thinking people should understand what I went through, but with counseling I got to see other people’s points of view,” he said.

Turner is an advocate of soldiers seeking counseling.

“Without it, I’d be trapped in my own nightmare,” he said. “My heart filled with hate, and I wouldn’t have cared what happened to me. By freeing my demons, I opened my eyes to what life could be after war.”

At one point, Turner recalled he had a hard time adjusting to the traditional student life. “In the military things seemed a whole lot more simple. In society you don’t get to decide who lives or who dies. There are a whole different set of morals outside of the battlefield,” Turner said.

He explained that as veterans, they have a lot of life lessons, and he feels that they don’t give people the chance to comprehend what it is that they went through.

Today, not only is Turner the president of ASG, but he also assists other veterans in the Veterans Resource Center on campus, which helps the veterans with their educational benefits such as the G.I bill. There are multiple outlets for veterans. The VRC provides former soldiers with a safe and comfortable place to study. The Educational Counseling and Disabilities Services on campus offer counseling.

“It’s not always easy for soldiers to return to mainstream society,” Turner said. “As far as I know, the rest of the student population hasn’t killed someone. We focus more on bigger issues and less on the stress of tests.”

Meanwhile, Penalver was inspired by his family. He plans to graduate from the University of Phoenix with a master’s degree in Business in the year 2014.

“I’ve got an understanding wife. I’m lucky to have a woman like that,” he said. “because when someone comes back different than they were, it’s a true test of one’s love.”

Students urged to walk out

Online Staff — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 06:36:03 +0000

City College’s Associated Student Government sent fliers through e-mail urging students to participate in a campus-wide walkout on Oct. 7 protesting the continued delay of financial aid support and the governor’s absence in community college funding.

ASG vice president Justin Turner said he witnessed the boiling point of frustrated students yet to receive financial aid funds firsthand. One incident involved students threatening financial aid staff and City College police were dispatched to keep the peace in Rodda North.

Both students and professors are encouraged to leave their classrooms at 11:30 a.m. and gather on the quad for ASG speakers and a DJ scheduled at noon.

For more information regarding the walkout contact Ruben Moody at: Rmoody08@yahoo.com.

Who represents you?

Stephanie Rodriguez — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 06:44:50 +0000

This fall semester City College students can expect to see some new and familiar faces on the Associated Student Government board. The Express sat down with these student-leaders to find out who’s running our campus, what qualifications they bring to the proverbial table and what their goals are for the upcoming months.

Former ASG secretary Renee Worley said her past experience allowed her to become familiar with the parliamentary procedures of student government and she also brings her management skills from her job outside City College.

“I’m a manager at my job and I feel like I’m a natural born leader,” Worley said. “I would like [ASG] to have a little more presence on campus so people actually know who we are and what we’re doing with your [student representation fees] and what we’re going to do for the students.”

Worley has made new changes since taking office: reinstatement of the “three meetings rule,” which was removed last spring semester.

“If anyone wants to join the board it is required to attend three ASG meetings before being appointed…” Worley said. “I do like to see that commitment from people because student government is serious.”

City College is the “greenest” of all four Los Rios District community colleges, Worley said. She has plans in the works to keep City College’s title alive, including properly labeling recycle bins, making them more “user friendly” and finding out if City College receives money from the current recycle bins.

With 20 years experience of accounting and bookkeeping, Jessie O’Keefe is the new ASG treasurer.

“I was around last year and I met the whole board and I really enjoyed the camaraderie…,” O’Keefe said. “I believe this year things are going to run smoother because we’ve learned a lot from last year.”

O’Keefe’s semester goal is to keep everything as simple as possible when it comes to the ASG budget.

“A little bit more laymen’s terms for everybody to know exactly where the budget’s at and to keep [the board] informed at all times so they know what monies they can spend and what they can’t,” O’Keefe said.

Bringing her experience as public relations officer for the City College Indigenous Peoples club and also a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honors society on campus, Emma Snuggs said her goal this semester is to put the community back into community college.

“I was the public relations officer for Indigenous Peoples for the year prior to this school year. I also have done a lot of work with outside organizations and I’ve done public relations work all my life…” Snuggs said. “I firmly believe in education and I firmly believe in community…”

Former ASG commissioner of public relations, turned vice president last spring semester, Justin Turner, returns this fall for another term as vice president.

“I wanted to come back and bring my experience,” Turner said. “We do have a bigger board with so much involvement and lots of motivated people.”

Turner is also a communications officer for the Student Senate for California Community Colleges and said he wants to make changes on a state level as well as locally.

“I just want to make sure the students’ voices are heard,” Turner said. “We’re a lot stronger as a region than just as a community college.”

A native New Yorker, Maszaba Carter has held positions of leadership outside City College.

“As Inter-Club Council president, my position also has a lot to do with the events that occur on campus. And that’s one of the things that is going to become more prevalent in future semesters,” Carter said.
Carter encourages all clubs on campus to participate in City College special events to come.

“We have Welcome Day on Thursday the 9th [of Sept.] that we’re working towards,” Carter said. “Our first big club day event is going to be Constitution Day and then of course we have Club Day. Constitution Day is on the 16th [of Sept.] and Club Day is on the 23rd of this month.”

Other positions:

Chief Justice: D. Del Toro
Secretary: Kaylyn Gardner
Commissioner of Legislative Affairs: Ruben Moody
Commissioner of Student Affairs: Richard Ragudo
Commissioner of Technology: Jamie Openshaw
Commissioner of Environmental Affairs–Rubie Simonsen (new position created this semester)

Renee Worley elected ASG president

Christopher Geanakos — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 08:05:36 +0000

ASG President Debby Dixon campaigns via bullhorn April 20 on the Quad. Photo by Christopher Geanakos

Editor’s note: ASG announced Friday April 23 Renee Worley had won the ASG presidency after all student ballots had been counted.

Associated Student Government candidates made their rounds on campus promoting themselves, ASG and the necessity for students to get more involved with the electoral process, while also taking swipes at each other’s campaigns during City College’s fall semester ASG elections April 20 and 21.

Among the more visible candidates on campus, current ASG President Debby Dixon made her desire to hold office for one more term known on the Quad via bullhorn. Dixon’s message: ”Vote with your head, not your stomach,” a dig at her sole rival, Renee Worley, who was offering free pizza to students who had voted.

“My opponent is trying to buy the election,” Dixon said. “In truth, she’s our current secretary and doesn’t do her job now, and so I’m not quite sure how she thinks she’ll accomplish being president.”

The ASG presidential office is the only competitive race in the election, as all other candidates are running unopposed for all other positions.

Despite running unopposed for the vice president’s position, current Vice President Justin Turner is running as part of Dixon’s ticket.

“I just want the students to be represented realistically and fairly instead of by empty promises,” Turner said, alluding to Worley’s platform and campaign promise to foster a more eco-friendly campus. “Yes, I did team up with Debby Dixon for that reason, because I have worked with her in this past year and she’s been phenomenal.”

Worley disagreed with Dixon’s and Turner’s characterization of her and her campaign.

Students voted on the fall semester’s ASG inside the City Café April 20 and April 21. Photo by Christopher Geanakos

“She’s [Dixon] spending a lot of her time trying to put me down, trying to say ‘Oh, Worley isn’t qualified,’ where I think she should be focused on herself if she’s confident enough with her qualifications,” Worley said. “I’ve only been on the board for one year and I’m already secretary for ASG. I think that’s pretty impressive based on the fact that I graduated from highs school last year.”

Worley said if she is elected, she will open a public forum once a month for City College students to talk directly with the ASG. She also said she wants to implement more green policies. She plans to spend less time lobbying the state and more time trying to change the campus locally.

Despite the rancor involved for the top position in the ASG election, Dixon, Turner and Worley all agreed that it is important for students to out to vote.

“Whoever you vote for, that’s your right, but just make sure you’re involved in the process. That way we can get more involved with the students and find out what they really want,” Turner said. “We’re here for you guys.”

City College journalism program recognized

Lovelle Harris — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 02:50:33 +0000

Express newspaper editor in chief Stephanie Rodriguez’s news article covering last semester’s recall of the Associated Student Government president won No. 1 in the state April 8-10 for excellence in reporting.

“I could not believe it,” Rodriguez said. “I was so excited, I didn’t know what to say. I think I smiled that whole day.”

The Journalism Association of Community College awarded the achievements of the editorial and design elements of saccityexpress.com, Mainline and the Express publications with an additional 17 awards at its annual conference in Los Angeles.

According to graphic communication professor and Express design adviser Don Button, more than 100 California community college journalism programs participated.

“And the fact that we received honorable mention in seven out of 10 to 12 design awards, and that our current editor in chief won No. 1 news story in the entire state, I mean it speaks for itself,” Button said.

Last semester, the Express underwent a facelift that may have contributed to some of the success at the award ceremony, according to Button.

“We went to tabloid, so we are no longer in a broadsheet format of old-style newspapers, so it has a really fresh, modern look,” Button said. “Most of our design entries came from the fall [semester] when we had gone to tabloid, in fact maybe all of them did, so it was the tabloid that really kind of had an impact.”

The JACC awards validate the talent of many students as they transition out of City College and into the professional world.

“Some of the students that won awards for last year’s awards are out there working right now, a few of them are still here, but a couple of them — Charles Henderson and Lori Llanillo — are out there working in the real world doing design now on the job and they’re our top two GCOM students.”

One of the students to receive honorable mention in the student-designed advertisement category expressed surprised after winning for her Halloween-inspired ad.

“I thought it was fantastic,” said Express design editor Casey Mar. “It was really exciting because I had no idea that they even submitted my ad in the first place. Also I am not that kind of designer. I’m a layout girl. I can do creative stuff with layout but when it comes to actually conceptualizing things and doing it that way, I don’t tend to step into that arena very often, so it was very flattering.”

With the business of journalism going the way of the Internet, the Express appears poised for future.

“Saccityxpress.com won general excellence as the No. 1 award for community college online journalism and it was their first semester, their first semester!” Button said “And they won best in the state, so that’s huge.”