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Show 1 4 ASWC FORUMFORTNIGHTLY.COM of Back row, Front row, Dexter Thomas, Ben Wilkinson, Chris Gibbs, Magnum Kincaid, Luke Morris Brandon Lloyd, Quayla Skevington, Josh White, Nick Raoux Ian Coppock Managing Editor ASWC comprises an portunity for students to opbe- come empowered, according to ASWC President Nick Raoux. The Associated Students of Westminster College is the official student government, he said. If youre enrolled for at least four credit hours, youre automatically a member. For years, ASWC has provided Westminsters students with activities and chances to get involved on campus. Raoux said that the organizations most important role is to represent the students. Student representation on all levels is critically important, he said. We represent students to administrators, faculty, other colleges, etc. Malting sure their voices are heard is our top priority. Raoux became the new ASWC president after winning the election this past spring. Previously, he was ASWCs Director of Clubs and Organizations. I ran because I felt like I had a solid understand of students needs, he said. I wanted to fight for what they want. I love ASWC, he said. I wanted to make sure that it was in good hands. As president, Raouxs responsibility entails liaising to the Board of Trustees, the colleges governing body. He also tasks. manages Im the mama bear of the day-to-d- ay organization, he joked. Raouxs responsibilities, and that of ASWC, have been redefined by a new constitution. The document was written in late 2011, and was driven by several factors. powerful branch of the orIt comprises ganization. representatives from each of Westminsters schools, such as business and nursing. sitions. These include a service chair and government relations chair, as well as a president of the Student Activities Commission, or SAC. to go out and bring something back to our community. We exist to serve the students, he added. I intend to fulfill my obligation to help Raoux added that elections to fill freshman seats are also SAC puts together student activities, Raoux said. We coming up. Were always looking for people to get involved, he have a high-calib- er commission this year, and theyre put- students learn and experience outside of the classroom. Im sure the rest of ASWC will do the same. We need everyone to come together for our decisaid. We had a few bumps last year, said Raoux. We saw that there were several fundamental flaws in how we worked, and they needed changing. Under the new constitution, ASWC is divided into five branches: the executive cabinet, senate, judiciary, activities comcouncil. mission, and inter-clu- b Raoux said that each branch operates with considerable autonomy. We come together to talk re about stuff, he said. But each branchs stuff is internally managed. Raoux offered an example of when the branches were merged big-pictu- day-to-d- ay together. We used to have to take up senate meetings with line items for clubs, he said. Now the ICC can do their thing, and the senate can focus more on legislation. It works a lot better. The student senate is, according to Raoux, the most sions. Raoux said that students can visit senate meetings to voice their ideas, and that student representatives will make themselves available for questions and concerns. While the senate tackles legislation to make campus life better, such as environmental projects, other ASWC branches fill vital responsibilities. The Inter-Clu- b Council is responsible for managing and funding student clubs. All you need is an idea, a purpose, and a group of seven people, Raoux said. Our application process is mostly online, and very simple. Raouxs branch, the executive cabinet, manages ASWC funds and media, as well as special projects. This year, the cabinet expanded to welcome several new po ting on some awesome stuff. The fifth branch of ASWC is the judiciary, which ensures that the organizations legislation and activities are true to the constitution. These five branches work but together, separately, Raoux said. We all take part re in stuff, but we each manage our own big-pictu- day-to-d- ay operations. ASWC is funded by a stu- dent activity fee deducted from tuition money. committed Were to this spending money responRaoux said. This year, sibly, were going to be as transparent as possible so that students know exactly where their money is going. Raoux added that some of the money is put toward an Opportunity Fund, which students can apply for to finance educational opportunities. Conferences, scholastic opportunities, that sort of thing, Raoux said. Any opportunity This year, we're going to be as transparent as possible so that students know exactly where their money is going. Nick Raoux Student Body President -- |