It’s been a tumultuous year for the ASVC, including allegations of Brown Act violations, inappropriate closed-door meetings and reports of verbal abuse.

On March 15, an ASVC Board member at Ventura College decided to

video-record and post meetings online so that the public may see whatever

events transpired during the meeting.

 Upon seeing this, the member was asked to cease recording—an apparent violation of the Brown Act of 2003.

“Rick should know [the Brown Act] more than anyone,” said Noe Barton, a member and regular attendee of the board meetings. “If he’s not following it, then what else is he not following?”

On April 21 of this year, Barton said he filed an official grievance against Student Activities Advisor Rick Trevino. The grievance alleges that Trevino violated the Brown Act section 54953.5 as well as section 54953.6. Both sections regard the right of anyone to record of any meeting and the public right to obtain a copy of it.

After the regulations in the Brown Act were clarified, Barton was then permitted to record the ASVC Board meetings at the condition that the Board be notified long beforehand. Trevino could not be reached for contact.

Ramiro Sanchez, vice president of Student Learning at VC, stated that grievances are confidential and therefore could not comment on the matter. Barton found this was necessary because of what he thought student government should be. “I’ve always seen student government for students to learn to come together and learn how government is suppose to work,” said Barton.

“It’s about learning and running a board smoother,” said AGS President Teresa Montoya in a text message. Montoya is a student at VC who has been watching the action of the ASVC closely.

On Feb. 17, 2011 an Executive Board meeting was held. One topic regarded the appointment of the new vice president. This position was vacant due to the resignation of former V.P. Joe Ruiz.

The largest controversy behind this event regarded the approval of the minutes. The secretary at that time, Brittany Remnet, approved and signed the original minutes of the Feb. 17 ASVC Executive Board Meeting minutes.

Upon her resignation, these meeting minutes were changed and signed by Leonard, Barton alleges. On the issue of her resignation and the meeting, Remnet could not be reached for comment.

The Finance and Budget Committee also closed a meeting that was suspected to be open to the public. If true, it would have been yet another apparent Brown Act violation.

“Those allegations are false,” said ASVC Treasurer Jerome Washington in a text message in response to these allegations. “FBC tried to improve the efficiency of the fund request in which I wrote a new act that was amended Fall 2010.”

Washington stated the FBC was in no way in violation of the Brown Act, also adding that these were only rumors being spread around the campus.

“But the bottom line to your question is that people just didn’t understand the process of how the FBC worked,” said Washington.

 Kathleen Leonard, President of ASVC, has been very active as president, as she participates in the events of multiple clubs on campus.

“I am a member of four clubs but active in two,” said Leonard in an email.

She had a grievance filed against her as well by the Psychology Club of VC for conduct reasons. In some students’ opinion, Leonard has been too active.

“When she said she wanted to join I was kind of concerned, so I went to my advisor,” said AJ Valenzuela, president of the Model United Nations of VC. Leonard ultimately did not participate in that club.

The current members of the ASVC will not be returning next term due to many of them transferring. However, Trevino believes the next group will be exceptional.