Bakersfield College/Bakersfield (BC) - SGA, 07-08
Category:Accomplishments, Building/improving a student union, Developing/improving SG web site, Goals, Goals/Accomplishments, Implementing/improving publicity, Improving voter turnout, Joining national affiliations/associations, Lobbying local/state/federal legislature
Accomplishment Details:1. Building/improving a student union
The SGA recently contracted with an audio and communications company to build a state-of-the-art sound system in the Fireside Room, located in the campus center. The room is used by the SGA, campus clubs, and administrative bodies such as the Board of Trustees and Chancellor's Cabinet. Because of the improvements, Bakersfield College now uses the Fireside Room exclusively for its Eminent Speakers Series. The series recently featured Patrick Reynolds, the founder of The Foundation for a Smokefree America and grandson of tobacco magnate R. J. Reynolds.
2. Developing/improving SG web site
The SGA recently moved its website onto the Bakersfield College server, which allows us to link to the BC home page. All current committee and Senate meetings are listed on the site, in addition to student clubs and organizations. The home page features news and updates, such as the recent spring election results. It also features links to the ASGA website, our SGA Yahoo! Group, and our SGA MySpace profile.
3. Lobbying local/state/federal legislature
The SGA has been heavily involved in lobbying on behalf of students at the California State Legislature. Issues such as textbook prices, tuition, and student fees have been addressed by student representatives from Bakersfield College. In addition, the SGA has also taken a position in favor of S.707, a bill sponsored by U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) that would remove the tuition sensitivity clause from the Higher Education Act. In January Alan C. Crane, a student government officer at BC, was elected President of the Student Senate for California Community Colleges, the recognized student representative body at the statewide level. Since his election, Mr. Crane has appeared before state Senate and Assembly committees to lobby on behalf of community college students throughout California.
Goals Details:1. Improving voter turnout
After implementing online voting, turnout increased by 200%. After the second election held exclusively online, turnout remained strong but decreased slightly. The SGA is committed to the goal of 1,000 students voting in the next spring general election in 2008. Through a combination of aggressive marketing and SGA-sponsored campus events, we hope to increase the level of awareness on campus.
2. Joining national affiliations/associations
The SGA is currently in the process of joining the American Student Association of Community Colleges (ASACC). Since ASACC offers discounts when a majority of schools join from the same district, the SGA will be paying for Bakersfield College in addition to Porterville College and Cerro Coso Community College. ASACC membership for all three colleges within our district will give student leaders the opportunity to participate on the national ASACC Leadership Team and other benefits.
3. Implementing/improving publicity
The SGA is taking steps to improve our publicity; for example, we recently took out a full-page ad on the back page of the Summer/Fall 2007 Schedule, which has a circulation of 50,000. In addition, we plan on partnering with our college Department of Marketing and Public Relations to develop a marketing and publicity campaign for SGA. Implementing an aggressive marketing plan is key to our recruiting and retention efforts for the 2007-08 school year, and we look forward to the progress we will make.