Editor’s note: ASG President Raquel Smith is a staff writer for The Channels. She did not contribute any reporting to this article.
On Friday, March 14 Associated Student Government (ASG) granted the Aerospace and Rocket Club their $2,500 request and discussed upcoming school events.
President of the Aerospace and Rocket Club, Jazminna Smirni, came with four other club members to request funding to build their own rocket. This included Jared Fong, Josiah Zanke, Jerahmy Sotelo, and Susy Lopez Garza.
Smirni gave ASG members detailed spreadsheets of the expenses necessary adding up to $2,304.19 without taxes and shipping costs. The five club members showed their passion and dedication toward the project by explaining all the hard work entailed and the late nights spent at the library.
“All of this is our own creation,” Smirni said.
The club aims to reach an altitude of 10,000 feet and a speed of Mach 1 with their rocket. Club members have found sponsors and utilized outside resources to bring their project to life without asking for an astronomical amount. They are receiving a certification from the Friends of Amateur Rocketry (FAR) to launch from the Mojave Desert in May.
The rocket will be City College’s very first and as ASG highlighted will advertise and bring prestige to the school. ASG agreed to the club’s request with a unanimous vote showing their enthusiasm for the project.
“I can’t really think of a better use of our money,” Commissioner of Accessibility Sam Gustafson said.
ASG manages a club grant fund of $15,000 per semester and an activity budget of $80,000.
Many events are coming up starting with the Veterans Club barbecue on Friday, April 4. ASG granted the club $200 to fund the event. Food will be provided as well as activities such as football and spike ball are encouraged. The Veterans Club is focused on community building and is open to everyone.
A town hall meeting will take place at noon on Friday, April 11. ASG is trying to get more student input and encourages all to come and address issues or ideas for City College. The meeting place is still in discussion.
A fundraiser for the activity budget may take place on Friday, April 11 at California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) on State Street. 20% of the profit made from the fundraiser will be donated to City College. Students must mention the fundraiser at the restaurant in order to contribute.
A two-day sustainability fair will take place on Earth Day Tuesday, April 22 and Wednesday, April 23. The first day will be a movie night replacing the one planned for Women’s History Month.
Short conservation films will be screened before the main movie which has yet to be determined. The event will rely mostly on student and club participation and will be used as a fundraiser for City College’s sustainability plan.
Regarding City College’s sustainability fund of $137,200.06, sustainability project letters are due Wednesday, March 19. The letters will be reviewed by ASG’s sustainability group and four of them will be selected. On Thursday, April 3 the students selected will have to present their projects in person in order to get approved and receive funds.
ASG has a budget of $5,000 for scholarships and members will start putting it to use next semester. The application should be in the form of an essay, but ASG is still undecided on the amount and conditions of the scholarship.
ASG adviser Melissa Menendez presented the “Student Equity Plan”. It is meant to help close equity gaps among students. At least 12 students are needed starting April 18 and over the summer. Menendez announced that participants will be paid.
The next ASG meeting will be Friday, March 21.
