ASDVC tries to solve communication problems

Nick Sestanovich

Student leaders want to establish an “executive committee” that meets weekly to resolve “a lack of communication” among officers of the Associated Students of DVC.  

“I respect the previous executives very much for what they’ve done for the students,” said ASDVC President Lindsay St. Hill, “but the lack of communication led to DVC not being its best.”

St. Hill said most student government boards already have such a committee, including DVC’s Inter-Club Council, which holds a two-hour executive meeting once a week.

Almost all of the 11 ASDVC officers agree with amending the ASDVC Constitution to include the new committee, St. Hill said.

Its aim is to “develop leadership strategies and organize executive agendas,” according to the proposed amendment.

The committee would post its agenda 72 hours in advance to comply with the Brown Act, which guarantees the public’s right to attend and participate in such meetings.

ASDVC adviser Adriana Lopez said she and Bill Oye, dean of student life, “are in favor of this committee for the sake of compliance with the Brown Act and ensuring that the student body has access to the agendas.”

St. Hill said the committee will be an opportunity for the officers to talk about things they wouldn’t in weekly 2 p.m. Tuesday meetings.

The amendment lists a designated meeting time of 3 p.m. on Thursdays, but it is still subject to change.

“The idea of having a set time on a set day is to ensure that when candidates run for executive office, they can plan their next semester’s schedule around the ASDVC Board meeting and ASDVC Executive Committee,” St. Hill said.

Some proposed alterations in the amendment proposed and approved by the Constitutional Committee were also approved at the Oct. 20 meeting by the ASDVC Board.

Although the board considers it a top priority, the amendment will likely not take effect until next semester, said Ben Pradya, vice president of executive affairs.