Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor,

As the ASB Senate we were shocked and saddened by the accusations that were made by the co-editor in chief, J. Daniel Fernandez, recently published in the opinion piece "Dan's Den", on May 1, 2009 (Vol.45, Issue 13), in El Paisano. The opinions that were stated, regarding the ASB Senate, are not based upon facts but assumptions. It is unfortunate that El Paisano has never officially attended an ASB Senate meeting or asked the ASB Senate any questions regarding the accusations made against them. Below are the facts about the accusations that were referred to the ASB Senate:

Fact: The ASB Senate has been working diligently all year with the Rio Hondo Administration (College President and Director of Facilities) to begin Recycling Program at Rio Hondo College.

Fact: At the urging of the ASB Senate, the college has established a Recycling Program Committee that includes Faculty, Classified Staff, Administrators and Students. This committee was formed in order to establish a college-wide efficient and sustainable recycling program on campus.

Fact: All ASB Senate meetings are open to the public - meaning ALL students. Agendas and minutes are posted and available for all students to view, question, criticize and vocalize their concerns. The ASB Senate is by no means a closed operation, but open to all students.

Fact: The ASB Senate does have accountability for all funds allocated from their accounts, whether or not a Treasurer is in place. All monies need to be approved by the full ASB Senate (which are students) in order for funds to be expended.

Fact: The ASB Senate does have a Treasurer. We did not have a Treasurer for two months because the elected Treasurer resigned weeks after being sworn into office. According to the ASB Senate Constitution and By-laws, the President cannot appoint anyone into the Senate or Executive Board until the second half of the Senate is elected.

Fact: The ASB Senate Elections are open to all students who meet the requirements of the office. Competition is highly encouraged!

Fact: The ASB Senate applications were available to all students for a two week period. Fliers were posted, announcements were made in classrooms, and an announcement was also printed in the last issue of El Paisano.

Fact: The ASB Senate has represented the students of Rio Hondo at the local, state and national levels on such issues as Fee Increases, Budget Cuts, Textbook Prices, Increase in Pell Grants, Tax Credits and the Dream Act. These are issues that most of Rio Hondo students face and the ASB Senate advocacy have help thousands of our students in creating access and affordability as it relates to higher education.

It is our opinion that the ASB Senate does not suffer from a lack of understanding basic principles of ethics but it is "Dan's Den" opinion piece that mirror's such accusations. We hope the students realize that what was written in that article was indeed just opinion and not fact. We hope that facts above speak for themselves, that the students who volunteer to be involved in the ASB Senate are seen as advocates for all students on our campus.

The ASB Senate looks forward to working hand in hand with El Paisano, the student newspaper, to advocate for students. Our two organizations should be working side by side to empower and advance the student voice. Both of our organizations are stronger together, fighting for the rights of our students then we are bickering with one another. We look forward to a new academic year where we can combine our efforts and speak as one student voice to the college administration, our local elected officials as well as to those in Sacramento and Washington D.C.

Respectfully Submitted

2008-2009 ASB Senate