By Gabriela Gutierrez
Students at East Los Angeles College will continue to receive assistance from the Associated Student Union food pantry as discussed, amongst other topics, in the first ASU meeting of the semester.
The ASU food pantry will receive $5,000 in additional funding, pending the approval of the Budgetary Associate Committee, to continue to provide students with snacks and beverages.
Students with special dietary needs or who prefer healthier options are taken into consideration. Overall, options are limited.
ASU vice president of advocacy, Steven Gallegos said, “We do try our best to accommodate all wants and needs, but unfortunately we can’t meet them all.”
ASU vice president of South Gate Evelyn Romero, “Yes, we try to accommodate, but also, when we are looking into what items we are able to purchase, a lot of the items are sold out.”
The board also approved calculator rentals for the semester.
Last semester students were able to rent books and calculators with ASU, but due to textbook rental complications ASU has omitted textbook rentals and kept calculator rentals. Previously, calculator rentals were $20 with ASU. The plan is to lower the cost this semester to either match other calculator rental prices, such as the math lab’s prices, or to rent them for even less. Exact price is pending.
Two clubs were also officially chartered, the Psi Beta Honors Club and the Veterans Club. The Psi Beta Honors Club is for students who have an interest in psychology and who wish to improve their psychology literacy.
The Veterans Club is for veteran and non-veteran students from ELAC who wish to improve their educational and personal well-being through the establishment of camaraderie among its members.
The board also discussed Club Rush for the Spring and approved the event with a $7,000 budget, pending BAC approval.
“Funds will be used to purchase items needed for the Spring 2022 Club Rush. Purchases include decorations, giveaways and food vendors,” Alondra Pacheco said.
The $7,000 budget is for both the ELAC campus and the South Gate campus.
Club Rush is expected to happen on March 1 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the ELAC campus and on March 2 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the South Gate campus.
Students with proof of ASU memberships are eligible for giveaways and food, while supplies last.
Funding for graduation was also approved and will have a budget of $7,725, pending BAC approval.
ASU has also played a role in the creation of the ELAC Shared Governance Handbook, which entails how roles in leadership function at ELAC. The handbook is currently still under revision and not yet out to the public.
ASU’s next meeting will be held on Feb. 25 at 1 p.m.