With budget cuts looming around every corner of campus, the Associated Student council could be moving to an academic senate format. The AS council consists of elected officials, as well as a representative from each club, that all vote on issues affecting the student body.

If the change were to happen, the elected positions would stay the same, but club members would need to be voted in as senators.

“I like the move because it gives a lot more structure if we can do it properly,” said Raymond Porras, AS director of activities. AS senate would have the same officers with 15 elected senators.

“The change would definitely make people be more involved,” Porras said. “Now people will have to campaign and run for these limited positions, so it makes them more willing to have the voice of the people heard.”

Porras said he feels the move would be a great way to help students get involved and have their voices heard through elected officials. Some students are not aware of how to get in contact with current elected officials.

“I don’t even know who the president is, and I didn’t even know we had one,” said Dante Wolmack, an SJCC student. Many students do not know where or how to contact the AS council.

“Most of the time I think students don’t seek the information and are misinformed,” said Katherine Rojas, a psychology major at SJCC. “For the most part, when I want to go see what’s going on, I know I can go to the meetings every Wednesday and find out.”

The move will still allow any member of the public to watch the meetings, and voice their opinion if he/she chooses.

“I’m definitely for the senate as long as its done right,” Porras added. “It’s already proven to work at other schools.” Evergreen College and De Anza College have had a senate structure in place for some time.

“Although the move is going to happen, there are some things that need to be taken care of,” Porras said. The district would like to take care of the contract issues with the director of student life.

The move is expected to happen shortly after the beginning of the fall 2010 semester, pending the contract negotiations.