Eric Ercanbrack

The Broadside

I am learning that there is a lot of anger toward the student government here at Central Oregon Community College. Students are frustrated. The frustration, a derivative of where student fee money is going. Where is the money being spent?

Clubs and Programs
Here’s the good:

• Clubs and Programs are funded by student fee money, and many students make use of this.
• Clubs and Programs are a great learning experience for students, especially if it’s related to the career they are pursuing.

Here’s the bad:

• What if student government members are apart of a club or program. They may be able to rescind themselves from a vote on the amount of money spent on the club or program, but what if government members are friends? Wouldn’t that sway the decision being made by council members? I wonder what would have happened to Cascades Adventures if multiple council member were involved?

Events; free bowling, Barbecues
Here’s the good:

• These are great events for students to get to know each other and to make connections.
• Events like this create a sense of community at the college.

Here’s the bad:

• What about students who just don’t have the time to go to free bowling night? The average age of a COCC student is 28. That doesn’t really mean there are a lot of 28 year old students, it probably means there is a polarized group of older and younger students. The bowling is great for the younger student, but what is student government doing for the older students who pay students fees as well? How about childcare subsidies, or healthcare?

The Voice, ASCOCC’s monthly magazine
Here’s the good:

• The information provided in the Voice is very useful to students and staff.
• It’s great that the student government can learn about putting a monthly newsletter together.

Here’s the bad:

• The Voice is budgeted for $15,000 this year. Why doesn’t student government send out The Voice newsletter in an email format like the college does? If ASCOCC needs to cut back on funding, The Voice should be the first thing to have its budget cut.

Student Council Trips to Washington D.C.
Here’s the good:

• This is a great learning experience for ASCOCC members.
• I feel more confident in my student government if they have undergone training.

Here’s the bad:

• There is a very similar conference that happens in Los Angeles. The cost of plane tickets to this event would cost much less than flying our student government to D.C. Spending an extra three days in D.C. to meet representatives that live in Oregon seems a bit strange. Why not make a trip to see representatives here in Oregon? We, as students, should also only pay for the actual council members to attend these conferences, and not honorary members who do not make decisions about your money.

Student government should give second thoughts about how they’re spending your money. There should be alternatives taken into consideration in order to save money and spend it where it’s really needed. Student government should know who the students are, what ages they are, and what needs they have.

ASCOCC, know who you’re representing and use our money for the benefit of the students who pay to have you represent us.

You may contact Eric Ercanbrack at [email protected]