El Camino College
Associated Students Organization
Senate Meeting Minutes
September 9, 2010
Activities Center West Conference Room
I. Call to Order
Meeting called to Order at 1:01 pm – quorum was established.
II. Roll Call – following persons signed the roll sheet
Executive Cabinet
Present:
o President: Jessica Lopez
o Vice President: Tim Linehan
o Director of Academic Affairs: Dalal Budri
o Student Trustee: Johanna Zamora
o Public Relations Officer: Nicole Reinertsen
o Student Services Officer: Chloe Smith
o Region 7 Representative: Meg Panlaqui
Absent
o Director of Finance: Ryuichiro Enomoto
Senators by Division
Present:
o Behavioral & Social Sciences: Ryanchase Balthazar and Damien
McDowell
o Business: Jameel Younis
o Humanities: Lisa Brown
o Mathematical Sciences: Vito Iaia
o Natural Sciences: Noor Bala and Gabriela Lopez
Absent:
o Business: Zachary Gurzenski
o Fine Arts: Heather Barone
o Mathematical Sciences: Paul Hiney
Advisers (Non-Voting)
Present: Jeannine Barba, Harold Tyler, Janice Watanabe
Guests
Present: Kevin Paxton, Sharon Asher, Alex Button, Rebekka Asher, Patrick
Mondestin-Howard, Solimar Flowers (AGS Rep), Jasmine Hormati, Melina
Mossberg, Lena Yamaguchi, Lynn Tran, Jack DeMont, Robyn Watkins,
Brandon Cheng, Laura Brown, Miles Villalon (Beta Phi Gamma)
III. Approval of the Minutes
None
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IV. New Business
5.1 Finance items
 Motion to table 5.1 Finance items to the next Senate meeting was
made by Jessica Lopez. Seconded by Chloe Smith.
Discussion: Vito inquired why item was tabled, Jessica explained
because there is no report. Jameel asked when next finance meeting
will take place. Jessica responded that notification will be sent via
email.
Motion passed.
5.2 Warning- 3 strikes
Discussion: Jessica explained to Senate that they must attend ASO
functions and activities as stated in the ASO Constitution. Failure to do
so will result in removal. Nicole mentioned as an example the low turn
out to ASO Office clean up day. Harold mentioned that the information
Jessica is referring to is in the ASO Constitution Article II, Section 3
and Article III, Section 4 under “Responsibilities of Senators”.
5.3 Networking with SMC
Discussion: Jessica mentioned that networking with SMC would be
beneficial to ASO. An upcoming networking opportunity is the “Guitar
Hero Challenge” which will be held at El Camino College. Nicole also
stressed that the Senate can create a strong continuing connection
with SMC as well. Vito mentioned this is a good idea and inquired on
how networking can help connect politically. Lisa asked if a
committee would be formed to network with SMC and how would
such committee work. Nicole answered that a committee with
members from both schools would be created. Vito suggested an SMCEl Camino Day. Lisa agreed the Senate could learn much from SMC’s
ASO. Meg mentioned the possibility of bringing up political issues and
concerns of community college students, example book rentals.
Lastly, Vito mentioned that his is an opportunity for the Senate to
meet a senator of the same division from another school and network
with them.
5.4 Conferences: C.C.C.S.A.A. & S.S.C.C.C.
 C.C.C.S.A.A. Student Leadership Conference (Oct. 22-24)
Discussion: Jessica explained to the Senate the importance of
conferences. ASO attends approximately three conferences per year.
Jessica read a description of the upcoming conference. She also
mentioned she has emailed asking who can attend C.C.C.S.A.A. and
only seven members have responded. She will email again and wants
a response by Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at 11:00 p.m. Rebekka
(guest) asked if only current ASO members will be emailed. Jessica
responded yes only current members will be emailed. Vito asked how
attendees would be selected. Jessica responded that she would select
members who reply to the email pending approval of the Senate.
 S.S.C.C.C. General Assembly (Oct. 29-31)
Discussion: Meg explained to the Senate about this conference. She
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notified the Senate that she would email them with more information
regarding this conference. Harold mentioned that more information
regarding the conference could be found on the websites written on
the handout distributed to the Senate.
5.5 Updated ASO Mission Statement
Discussion: Jessica explained to the Senate that over the summer a
committee met to update the ASO Mission Statement to make it
clearer and less ambiguous. She presented the Senate with a draft of
the updated mission statement. Vito agreed that the revised statement
is better and so did Jameel. Jessica stressed that the mission statement
needs to be clear enough for an outsider to easily understand ASO’s
role. Lisa noted grammatical errors within the draft. The mission
statement will be returned to the Mission Statement Committee for
revision. For more information on when this committee will meet
contact Vito.
VI. Old Business
- None
VII. Reports
7.1 ASO Member Reports
 Public Relations Officer
Nicole reported what the ASO Web Committee is planning on doing
this year including webisodes. She also encouraged the senators to
join the P.R. Committee. Vito made inquires about the Web
Committee. Nicole answered his questions.
 President
Jessica reported that senators and executive cabinet members must
join committees as stated in ASO Constitution. Also, she mentioned
that prospective ASO members would be initially appointed as
commissioners. She welcomed all those interested in joining ASO to
remain after the meeting.
 Student Services Officer
Chloe reported that the Student Services Center is considering placing
lines outside the Financial Aid and Testing Offices to eliminate
confusion and distribute the traffic in that area. She also reminded
everyone that ASO has a facebook page and to join it.
 Senator of Business Division
Jameel reported the success of the ASO Office Clean up. He mentioned
that he would like to see a more cohesive Senate. Also urged senators
to get in touch with teachers, students and their deans.
 Student Trustee
Johanna reported on the Board of Trustee’s Meeting. Mentioned the
on going construction on campus and that book rentals are now
available at the bookstore. The Senate will be presented with more
information regarding this at the next meeting.
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
Vice President
Tim reported on the Council of Deans. Currently El Camino is at 92%
enrollment whereas Compton is at 102% enrollment. Also there is a
problem with Financial Aid regarding paperwork, which results in
student being dropped from their classes. A rolling drop procedure to
address this problem is being considered. Teachers are not adhering
to the “no show on the first day” drop policy. Co-pre-requisites,
classes student’s need to take at the same time, can only be added at
admission and cannot be done through the portal. A system to notify
student’s enrolled at both El Camino and Compton Center is being
considered.
 Public Relations Officer
Nicole- Club rush is next week and ASO will have a table.
7.3 ICC Report
Damian reported that ICC approved four people to attend C.C.C.S.A.A.
Conference. They also approved a Blood Drive, Club Rush and The
Children’s Holiday Party. He also mentioned that ICC would like ASO
to have nominees for King and Queen for Homecoming. Also, ICC
would like to have and ASO Rep that will have voting power in ICC.
7.3 Committee Reports- none
7.4 Advisor Reports
 Janice mentioned the Student Development Office is doing eligibility
checks. The next check is September 24. An email was sent out not to
unplug or move equipment or phones in offices. A work order will be
put in place if anything needs to be moved. Also software should not
be installed on any of the computers.
 Harold informed the Senate that four computers with Internet are
now in the Senate Office. Also ASO should make students aware of
safety on campus.
VIII. Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items
 Vito mentioned and engineering proposition his predecessor began
that he will be continuing.
 Meg urged the Senate to begin their division council’s.
 Janice reminded the Senate that tomorrow is the last day to add
classes online via the portal.
IX. Adjournment
 Motion to adjourn the meeting at 2:02 p.m. was made by Jessica Lopez.
Seconded by Chloe Smith. Motion passed.
Minutes Recorded by Johanna Zamora
Minutes Verified by:
_____________________________________
Jessica Lopez, ASO President
_______________________________
Harold Tyler, ASO Adviser
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