Tag: ASB

The Long Beach Student Union is a proposed club that seeks to better represent student opinions because it feels “the role of the student government in the formation of policy is negligible” and claims that the students of Poly High are underrepresented. The organization desired to get chartered as a club by the Associated Student Body, which is meant to serve a similar purpose. That charter was denied, but the Student Union may continue as a school organization.

Founded by seniors Nia Gallo and Elizabeth Him and juniors Perry Loveridge and Asa Mazor-Freedman, the Student Union’s concerns began this school year with the new bell schedule. It became more important to them than ever to voice their opinions.

“Students are underrepresented, and we want to be a bridge between students and the district. ASB is legally prohibited from doing so, so we are not trying to compete with them,” said Mazor-Freedman.

Although Poly currently has ASB, which represents the student body, the Student Union still feels like the gap between students and the school board could be lessened. The new organization felt that the students had little say in the bell schedule dilemma that unfolded last spring; they also felt that there should be a form of communication between students and the district. The lack of student voices in the bell schedule conflict sparked the idea of a Student Union.

“It’s a good idea; people should be open to voicing their opinions. But, they should do more research before voicing their assumptions of what the presence of ASB fails to do,” said ASB President Jeah Clemente.

The issue was brought to Principal Joe Carlson, who seems to support the organization. A meeting was held between the Student Union and ASB on the afternoon of September 17, 2013. A final decision was made, and the Student Union was not chartered as a club by ASB.

“It is regrettable that the message was not perceived by out Student Government as an adequate reason to charter a club. We look forward to the new freedoms available to us now that our obligation to the ASB has ended,” said Him.

Although ASB decided not to allow the Student Union to become a club at Poly, it commended them on their efforts to start the club. It encouraged them to continue their projects as an unchartered club at Poly. They would not be participating in certain ASB planned activities including the Homecoming Faire and the Intercultural Faire.

“We don’t wish to discourage the Student Union. We just suggest that the officers find another way to voice their concerns,” said Clemente, after the decision was made.

Time will only tell what the Student Union will decide to do and how they will do it.