ASLC missing $16,000 from last five years

By Geremy Lowe

Revenue from five years of Student Center events has disappeared, noted ASLC President Dagnachew (Dag) Sibhat at the Sept. 27 Student Council meeting. There is no record of who was responsible for keeping track of the funds, which were to be allocated to the ASLC, as stated in its constitution.

“All funds related to Student Center events are [supposed] to come to the ASLC,” Sibhat said. “For the past couple of years that has not been happening.”

According to Sibhat, there is about $16,000 missing from Student Center revenue over a span of five years.

Sibhat met with Laney President Tammeil Gilkerson who, Sibhat said, signed a document that will allow the ASLC to now receive all funds related to the Student Center.

”Are we able to get the funds?” ASLC Senator Evette Williams asked. “We should demand the money.”

The challenges with obtaining these funds has been happening for a while now, Sibhat said.

“This has somewhat dampened ASLC’s ability to plan events and budget the year,” he said, and added that he is upset they have not received their rollover budget.

Sibhat noted that he and Gary Albury, director of Student Activities and Campus Life, took up the issue with Peralta District officials.

“If students want their voices to be heard, they must vote,” he said. “We must actively participate in this democratic process to create the change that is desperately needed.”

In other ASLC business, Dr. Kimberly King, psychology professor and Umoja-Ubaka advisor, addressed the midterm elections and provided local ballot information.

Two Peralta trustees are up for re-election and there is a funding measure for the Peralta Community College District on the ballot for the Nov. 6 midterm elections.

King is an active participant of the Poor People’s Campaign, whose mission is to transform the political, economic and moral structures of our society. She urged the ASLC to co-sponsor the Teach-In on Voting and Housing Insecurity event on Oct. 30 by attending and providing publicity.

ASLC Vice-President Tameem Bahram addressed his concerns about King’s presentation.

“What you (King) did was a violation of the Brown Act,” Bahram said. “I don’t think giving a proposal would be ethical.” (According to Section 1. Section 54954.2 of the Brown Act Government Code, no action or discussion shall be undertaken on any item not appearing on the posted agenda.)

“I didn’t just randomly show up,” King said. “I actually sent an email to Dag.”

King thanked the council for listening to her proposal and encouraged all to participate, and it was decided that the proposal will be added to the agenda for the next meeting.