While going through a staff shortage, Fullerton College Student Trustee Chloe Serrano urges students to run for Associated Students as they prepare for their upcoming Fall 2023 elections which would be announced after the election committee meeting on week 6 of the current semester.

Following the past A.S. elections that were held in the spring semester, The Associated Students Body was left with 24 senators spots and the seat of Vice-President of Records vacant for the start of this school year.

With fall elections coming up, Serrano said her focus is on encouraging students to join A.S. as senators or as the Vice-President of Records by running for those positions. “Look into running for one of our vacant positions, or as a senator,” said Serrano.

Students willing to run for a position must have had a GPA of 2.0 or higher the previous semester and at the time of holding office, be enrolled in five units at Fullerton College and have completed at least three units the previous semester at any college. New college students are required to have had at least a 2.0 GPA in their senior year of high school.

According to the A.S. website, their members represent all Fullerton College students in shared governance, by organizing community events for faculty and student support on campus such as Club Rush, producing student IDs, managing a yearly budget, and having a say on campus committees and district level decisions at NOCCCD Board of Trustees meetings.

Associated Student adviser Ronald Farol explained that in order to become senators, students are required to campaign and win in the elections “People have to campaign. from what I understand with the election process, any interested Senator has to be elected first,” said Farrel. “They have to be elected and they will be appointed or sworn in during a senate meeting.”

Serrano encourages students to join by explaining that being part of A.S. could be great for anyone regardless of their interests.” A.S. is as much as you want to make out of it,” said Serrano. “If you are interested in A.S. but do not know exactly what you want to do, we have so many different committees that kind of cater towards your interests.”

More information about elections is expected after the A.S. Elections Committee meeting, taking place in week six of the semester that starts Monday Sept. 25.

Correction: A previous version of this article stated that anyone could become a senator when joining A.S. this fall due to vacancies. In fact, all prospective senators have to participate in the election process. A quote from the Associated Students adviser Ronald Farol has also been added for more context. We apologize for the error.