Students interested in making new clubs will need to get acquainted with the ASHC and how the student government works.
The Associated Students of Highline College consists of every student currently enrolled at Highline, but there are deeper layers to this hierarchy, like the Executive Council, and the Associated Council.
Jocelynn Nguyen/THUNDERWORD
ASHC Executive Council members from left to right, Yahya Abdulmohsin (Vice President), Mahad Dahir (President), Nurma Khan (Speaker of the Caucus), and Annie Nguyen (Community Budget Coordinator) start the ASHC meeting.
The ASHC Executive Council members are President Mahad Dahir, Vice President Yahya Abdulmohsin, and Speaker of the Caucus Nurma Dahir. They help represent students and their needs on campus, from policies to programs, fund allocation and programs.
However, they do not simply decide what to do on their own.
The Associated Council is composed of different club leaders and the Executive Council. They meet on alternating Tuesdays to discuss matters of finance and club recognition. The meeting is a place for students to make announcements and share information with one another.
Club recognition allows for funds to be allocated to clubs for purposes related to the club. Recently recognized clubs include the Fantasy Fiction Creative Writing Club, the Fashion Club, and the Mathematics Society. But, there is a step beyond club recognition: club certification. Club certification allows for a club to meet off campus, or to take trips for competitions.
While fund distributions may be limited by regulations, they can include travel costs like lodging and food expenses. Clubs are free to hold their own fundraisers to raise money as well. All previously recognized club leaders are allowed to vote and approve what money will be used for other clubs.
For a full list of clubs available at Highline, check out the club directory.
Being a club leader involves a lot of paperwork, and is an extra load on the students, but those interested can fill out the form on the Highline website.
One student has described the process of making a club to be quite the ordeal.
“I was very overwhelmed by it,” said Victor Wolf, president of the Fashion Club. “The hardest part is getting people to join.”
The next ASHC meeting will be February 14, at 1:20 p.m. in Mt. Skokomish, Building 8.