Issue Date: 10/26/09
Student gov't drama is unacceptable
Our Viewpoint
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Annoying or not, students absolutely need to care about these issues.
What does the ASG do for students?
The Associated Student Government is the students' voice, and it's completely unacceptable that there are allegations of manipulation expressed by past and present ASG members, faculty members and students.
The ASG affects every single student at Palomar.
Student money is used to run ASG. You are funding this organization whether you like it or not.
The ASG directly influences the Board of Trustees, a group that ultimately decides policies for the school. The Board of Trustees basically governs Palomar. They make decisions on issues such as class cuts and tuition. Palomar's president reports to the Board of Trustees, and the group has the power to fire him. While ASG doesn't directly make the decisions, they are a huge influence because they can make recommendations to the board.
Finally, ASG controls events at Palomar. They are responsible for organizing Comet Week, SpringFest and other school-wide activities.
So what's the problem?
Former ASG members are coming forward to talk about some serious complaints.
"ASG has been a victim of micromanagement, intimidation and manipulation on the part of the OSA (Office of Student Affairs)," Andrew Bissell, former ASG president of the current semester, said at a Board of Trustees meeting on Oct. 13. He spoke as a student and not on behalf of the ASG.
"There is something horribly wrong with how the students of Palomar College are being treated by those who run the Office of Student Affairs," Shaun Briggs, a former ASG senator and Palomar student wrote in an e-mail.
Last year's ASG president, Robert Frederick, said that his final months in his position were "very disturbing," in an e-mail sent on Oct. 15.
There are plenty more complaints where these came from.
The root of the problems allegedly lies with two Palomar administration members who are in charge of ASG. Fingers are being pointed at Sherry Titus, the director of the OSA and the advisor of the ASG, as well as Marilyn Lunde, the secretary of both OSA and ASG.
Both Titus and Lunde ascertain that the allegations are not true. Palomar President Robert Deegan backs them up.
What can you do?
Palomar needs more than the silent opposition that's circulating through e-mails. There is currently an investigation of the allegations being conducted by school authorities.
Get involved. Let Palomar hear your voice.
First, get educated. The Telescope stays as up-to-date as possible, so keep yourself updated. Form your own opinion on what's going on.
You can also attend an ASG meeting. They're open to the public and are every Wednesday from 1 to 3 p.m. in SU-204.
Board of Trustees meetings are open to the public as well. They are once a month in the Governing Board room at the Student Services Building on the San Marcos campus. The closed session begins at 4 p.m. and the open session begins at 5 p.m. The next meeting is on Nov. 10. You can also contact members of the Board of Trustees at 760-744-1150 ext. 2104.
Contact Palomar President Robert Deegan at rdeegan@palomar.edu or call him at 760-744-1150 ext. 2106. Let him know exactly what you think of the situation.
One e-mail or visit does have the potential to make a difference.
Please remember to be mature and courteous when voicing your opinion. Use common sense and judgment so that you can be sure that your thoughts won't just be tossed aside as an unsubstantiated revolt.
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