ASG LOOKING FORWARD TO WINTER TERM

A game of pool? Maybe a turn on the Xbox?

There could be more fun and games coming to Mt. Hood’s Student Union, as part of Associated Student Government efforts to improve student outreach. More student-friendly activities are just part of the plan by the ASG leadership team for Winter Term, building on success from the autumn in making students more welcome at MHCC.

ASG President Bob Hansen and Vice President Melanie Roberts say they want to continue working with the campus Student Outreach and Recruitment Team (SOAR) to engage more students in their transition to college. Their mission would be to help students understand that there are many options to pay for college, and to help students in the preparation of continuing their education.

One of the biggest goals the two have this term is to get more student involvement on the campus, both in the Student Union and at their ASG activities. The ASG has been working on making the Student Union a friendlier space. There is now a pingpong table there, and hopes of getting a pool table and an Xbox 360 installed.

Hansen said, “We really want to make it a place where students feel welcomed and have more to do on campus. This way students can feel comfortable being here for a longer period of time.”

Hansen and Roberts are reaching out more to first-year MHCC President Lisa Skari so she’s on the same level as students. The pair said they believe having Skari more involved in activities will allow students to be comfortable speaking to her on any issues they may be having.

With the start of a new term, the Student Activities team is looking to fill two positions: It wants to hire a Design and Promotion Specialist and a Special Event Coordinator. Working with Student Activities can earn students a 12-credit per-quarter tuition waiver. Current students interested in these positions are welcome to speak to anyone in the ASG office about the hiring process. 

The ASG office is also looking for two part-time positions available, for students to be the Barney mascot for MHCC. Fulfilling Barney mascot duties would require the person to attend activities and Saints athletics home games. This position gives students a six-credit per-quarter tuition waiver.

Hansen and Roberts say that many of the goals they had for Fall Term were achieved, and some even exceeded. One goal was to have more community involvement in the different activities MHCC offered, and both noticed this target was achieved. For example, they said they expected 50 people, maximum to attend their Trunk or Treat event, but were surprised to have over 300 people show up, instead.

Hansen also said he was excited about partnering up with the Oregon Food Bank for Barney’s Pantry, a place students in need can go to for free food.

Explaining ASG’s role on campus, Hansen said it is a place where students make sure the school is following up on its responsibilities, and on what it says it’s going to do for students.

“We really try and make sure students are feeling comfortable in their classes, and we want students to know we are still here backing them up no matter what goes on. We want to keep this Winter Term flowing well,” he said.