It has been a busy year for the 2024-2025 City College Associated Student Government.

Following elections last spring, just five of the board’s 28 seats had been filled. In a speedy summer recruiting drive, the group grew to 18 and continued expanding through the fall, according to Vice President Michelle Romero.

“That’s something I’m extremely proud of, being able to get ASG out there,” Romero said. 

With a few months left in their terms, some of the group took stock of their accomplishments.

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ASG has put on a number of events, including several club rushes and a Dia de los Muertos celebration that included food and a screening of The Book of Life.

Last fall, ASG and the Inter-Club Council organized a food drive in partnership with Cal Coast Credit Union called Food for the Holidays. Cal Coast donated $1500, which was distributed to 15 students at an event in December. 

“That was really one of the more like coming to fruition (moments), where I felt good for the first time,” Montiel said.“Where I was like ‘Damn I’ve been planning this thing with ICC since November and we made it happen and it was a success.” 

For Romero, safety has become a chief concern. Following a string of incidents and hearing fears raised by students, Romero believes that the school could do more.

She is working with the district police department to hold an A.L.I.C.E. active shooter training for students. Romero is assessing student interest in the program. She hopes to bring it to fruition by the end of the semester

In February, ASG President Dalia Ramirez and the other SDCCD student trustees traveled to Washington D.C. with a delegation from the district to attend the National Legislative Summit. The conference gave students the chance to meet with lawmakers, including San Diego’s congresswoman Sarah Jacobs, and advocate for community colleges.

Dean Andrew “Luke” Menchaca, who organized the trip, was blown away by the students. 

“It’s just how seriously they took it … It was truly inspiring as a professional,” Mechaca said. “And they commanded the room, I don’t know any other way to say it. The legislators were locked in.”

The year wasn’t without setbacks.  Navigating the school’s bureaucracy was a challenge from the start

“We were trying to get things done, but at the same time just like learning about ourselves, learning about our positions, learning about each other,” Ramirez said.

ASG’s budget was not released until September, weeks into the semester, hampering the students who were hoping to hit the ground running. 

“My team: oh my god, best team in the world. We’re united, we work together. Oh my gosh, my team is so amazing,” Ramirez said. “But information-wise… getting our budget: horrible. I feel like (there’s) no support.”

Administration rejected requests with little feedback on why they were being denied, on what went wrong, according to Ramirez and Montiel, which further slowed the pace of progress..

“We have to send forms to other departments, and they’ll be like ‘Nope, sorry, that’s not the process.’ And it’s like, no one taught us the process,” Montiel said.

Montiel saw it as his role to educate students on that process and give them the tools to take their needs into their own hands.

The group also had to navigate conflict between its members. A resolution protecting pro-Palestinian protests on campus became mired in discussion, despite the motion having the support of the ICC.

Currently, the group is discussing whether to endorse the introduction of cameras on campus, with members divided on whether benefits outweigh the costs of increased surveillance 

But despite all of that, the group has learned to navigate their differences and operate as a unit. 

“I’ve definitely learned more. Just always having an open ear, listening to both sides. Making sure people’s feelings are being validated,” Romero said. “And then taking a step back from the situation and being like ‘maybe I could have done this better.’”

Montiel echoed the sentiment in his advice for future cohorts.

“Be mindful. Be caring. Understand that there’s different communities on this campus that need representation,” Montiel said. “It’s very easy to represent what you believe in and the cultural background that you come from, but you also have to be mindful that there are other backgrounds that are just as valid as yours. And I think it’s within those backgrounds that we find true progress and we can all build something together.”

The semester is far from over, and this year’s cohort still has a lot on their plate. They are sponsoring a dance April 24 at the A building terrace. The group is also in the process of setting up the ASG break room with a fridge and microwave, giving future members a place to hang out on campus. 

Voting for next year’s ASG officers will begin April 28 and continue through May 3. There will be an open candidate forum in the cafeteria on April 23.