Senators and Students Discuss Campus Issues at First-Ever ASG Town Hall

Senator Courtney Bell created a forum for students to promote communication between students and representatives

Santa Clara’s Associated Student Government (ASG) held its first-ever Town Hall on Feb. 28 in the California Mission Room. The organization aims to foster a greater sense of community between students and their peer representatives through a continued series of future assemblies.

The meeting was a two-hour event billed as an opportunity for undergraduate students to voice concerns about the university. The senators expressed plans to pursue potential projects, communicate with other departments or expand on current initiatives based on the feedback.

Students addressed a panel of six ASG senators and submitted anonymous statements to a Pollev page that was projected onto a screen near the stage. 

The Town Hall initiative was brought about by Courtney Bell, ASG sophomore senator at-large for socioeconomic justice and cultural sustainability.

“I wanted students to have direct contact with their representatives and bridge the gap between the student body and administration,” Bell said. “When I was running for First Year Senator, so many applicants said they wanted the position to be a voice for the students, but I couldn’t see how they were doing that if they weren’t talking to the students themselves.”

A total of 46 concerns were posed throughout the event. 

“There were definitely some topics that were shocking, but it’s always a pleasant surprise because we love hearing from students who have different perspectives,” Bell said.

Recurring topics included improving access to high-quality menstrual hygiene products, reducing the cost of laundry and reevaluating policies regarding make-up examinations after an illness. 

Concerns over campus security were prominent, including the decreased presence of Campus Safety Services, inadequate communication with on-campus residents about who has access to their rooms and the number and placement of security cameras.

Students also advocated for the improvement of vending machines, pool heaters and garbage disposals throughout campus.

ASG plans to host Town Halls at least once a month with a rotation of different senators present at each meeting.

“I want people to be seen and heard, and I want them to know they can come to ASG if they have any concerns,” Bell said. “I especially want students who aren’t holding a lot of leadership positions to be at the forefront of town halls to say, ‘this is what needs to be changed,’ so we can be able to fix it directly.”