Fresno City College’s Associated Student Government has undergone quite a few changes since last semester, both to its composition and to its goals.
The foremost alteration has been to the structure of the student government. According to ASG president Cindy Quiralte, five senators left their posts at the beginning of this semester. All five have been replaced. ASG has also added three senators-at-large to its legislative body.
In addition to the replacement of senators, ASG also had to replace its President Pro Tempore. Former PPT Daesha Black stepped down this semester, and has been replaced by Veronica Farwell, former secretary for the Inter-Club Council. Quiralte said that this transition had been discussed since last semester. “It had been discussed as a possibility…We had to try to take care of it as soon as possible, so we had to make that decision at the beginning of the semester,” she said.
The position of Legislative Vice President has also been filled. After the impeachment of Karlton Brown, ASG’s initial LVP last semester, Senator Ben Andersen was appointed as an interim. However, Senator Nathan Alonzo was appointed full time at the beginning of this semester. Andersen has resigned from ASG.
ASG will be working with its new members on a variety of projects this semester, and is focused on increasing the organization’s public presence. “One of the concerns we’ve heard is, ‘We don’t see you enough,’” said Quiralte. “It’s one of our goals to make sure we’re more visible this semester, so we’re trying to brand more of the ASG logos so that we’re out there and people know who we are.”
One of the ways ASG plans to accomplish this is through the distribution of a monthly ASG newsletter. According to Quiralte, the newsletter will be published at the beginning of every month and will include a calendar of events, as well as updates on ASG-related activities. “It’s just so students are aware of all the events that we do, because…trying to get the word out is kind of hard,” she said.  
Members of ASG are also trying to “get the word out” through increased interactions with students. “We’re trying to hit all targets,” said Quiralte, “but I know the most effective way is face time. When you talk to people, they’re able to respond to you and they’re aware of what you’re working on.”
This interaction will be applied on a larger scale during ASG’s second town hall meeting, tentatively scheduled for the end of February. Quiralte said the focus of the meeting will be on Student Success Task Force recommendations, enrollment management, fee increases, and potential changes to summer school. For this event, ASG is attempting to bring SCCCD Chancellor, Dr. Deborah Blue, and FCC interim president, Tony Cantu, to inform students of current budget issues. “I’m very concerned with that, because I do understand that this is supposed to be a two-year university,” said Quiralte. She added, “We want to make sure students are aware of how to navigate through City with these new changes.”
In addition, ASG is encouraging students to be involved in the legislative processes regarding their education. “We understand we have a seat at the table, and we are being very vocal about these issues … but we would like to see the student body more visible at these meetings as well,” Quiralte said. Currently, ASG members are urging students to attend the Feb.7 Board of Trustees meeting in which the fate of summer school will be decided. Quiralte said of the board members, “They’re very responsive to students that go and take time to hear the issues.” ASG is planning an on-campus rally for Feb. 7 in order to generate awareness of the summer school issue.
ASG is also planning to take FCC students to the “March in March” rally for education in Sacramento.. Once in Sacramento, the goal is to get students into legislative meetings. “In the past…students are only rallying outside. It’s most effective to have people inside with those meetings, having their concerns heard,” said Quiralte.
The ASG office, located above the bookstore, is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Students are encouraged to contact their student representatives with any education-related questions, concerns, or grievances.