Gavilan College
’s student representatives say more proceeds from a new vending
machine contract approved by trustees should go to students in
general, rather than to athletic programs.
Gavilan College’s student representatives say more proceeds from a new vending machine contract approved by trustees should go to students in general, rather than to athletic programs.
Shortly before board members voted on the proposed distribution of revenue generated by the Pepsi machines, two Associated Student Body officers opposed the split that gives 65 percent of proceeds to the athletics department and 30 percent to ASB.
“The ASB does not believe that the current proposal is equitable, primarily because it is symbolic of placing a higher value on one student group over others,” said Simon Cooke, ASB president.
Of the portion of proceeds that will be paid to athletics, Development Officer Ken Berry will receive a 30 percent commission. The remaining 5 percent of proceeds will go to the college’s general fund.
Just before Cooke spoke to trustees, President Steve Kinsella reiterated his approval of the proposed distribution, which was approved by the President’s Council in January of 2003.
During the discussion last January, a first proposal of 70 percent to athletics and 10 percent to the general fund was revised to give ASB a 30 percent cut, rather than 20 percent.
Cooke, along with ASB Vice President of Finance Christina Alonzo, proposed that both athletics and ASB receive 47.5 percent of proceeds, with 5 percent dedicated to the general fund. That system would be more equitable, they said, because ASB distributes funds to all student groups and actively supports athletics.
In a 6-1 vote, Trustees approved the proposal, with James De La Cruz dissenting. Student Trustee Jesse Sandow was also opposed.
