Fresno City College’s Associated Student Government held its first ever Town Hall meeting yesterday in the auditorium of the Old Administration Building. The event was designed to inform students about campus-wide issues as well as to give them the opportunity to address their representatives with questions, comments, and concerns.
Senator Kristie Andersen informed students of upcoming fee increases and said that the purpose of the meeting was to allow ASG to reach out to students. Andersen said, “It’s a chance for our students to connect with us and for us to be able to connect with our students – to have that dialogue between both groups.”
The meeting began at 11 a.m., drawing a sizeable crowd of students. Senators Rachel McKinley and Nathan Alonzo explained what ASG is all about, outlining its composition, goals, and role in campus affairs.
After the introductory portion, ASG president Cindy Quiralte addressed the audience. “I would really like to hear how you would like us to work for you. Help me work for you, help the team work for you – give us some suggestions, give us some direction,” she said. “We know that we have a lot of questions, and we encourage you to ask them.”
This began the “open forum” section of the meeting, during which students were free to ask questions, make comments, or give suggestions to ASG members. The first question was asked by student Peter Vu. Vu asked if a replacement for former Legislative Vice President Karlton Brown has been appointed, to which President Quiralte responded “We do have it on the agenda for interim vice president…but we’re making do, and that’s exactly why we’re here today – to show you that we are still here, very strong and united as ASG.”
Throughout the open forum, many students took the opportunity to voice their questions. A few students raised concerns about counseling – from long lines to faulty information given by counselors. President Quiralte addressed their concerns. “If you want something done about counseling, yes, we’re here to help you with that…this is a joint, effort, and we’re here to work for you,” she said. “If you’re concerned about counseling…we can work together. I can and will take that to administration.”
After the open forum, Trustee Christopher Coronado presented the results of a student survey sent to the student body via district email. According to Coronado’s report, more than 800 students completed the survey, 59 percent of which identified themselves as full time students. The results showed that the majority of students who took the survey would like to see a greater campus police presence on campus and an expanded concession area near the main fountain. Students also sought more participation in the discussions of the college’s budget and an on-campus farmer’s market. Trustee Coronado said that the survey would remain open.
Another area that was addressed in the meeting was the Student Success Task Force, which is responsible for drafting a plan for improving student success at California community colleges. The recommendations of the Task Force were presented to the audience in a condensed format designed to be clear and comprehensive.
Senator Kristie Anderson explained the fee increases to be expected in the upcoming spring semester. She outlined exactly which fees will or may be increased and by how much. Senator Andersen also informed students what the fees help pay for.
The meeting ended with another open forum, during which several more students addressed ASG. Trustee Coronado said that he felt the meeting was successful. “We expressed what we wanted to the student body, and…I was trying to make sure that they were understanding, which they did.” He added that the primary goal was “to have students come and voice their concerns, questions, opinions, comments – that’s what town hall is about, and we got a lot of that today.”
Some students came away from the meeting feeling more informed than others. Amber Pacheco said that she felt the meeting was informative. “I did not know about a lot of that stuff,” she said. Another student, Brittany Hieng, who had asked why enrollment is capped so strictly said her question was not answered satisfactorily.
Trustee Coronado said ASG has already started planning another town hall meeting for the spring semester.