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Student Government discusses open seat, VCT funding during first meeting of year

The Shoreline Student Government held its first meeting of the year on Wednesday, Sept. 24.

They discussed how to advertise for the newly opened position of Student Government secretary, which became available when the secretary-elect resigned before the beginning of the school year. Resumés for the position were to be accepted until Friday, Oct. 3. A committee was established to review the resumés and interview the applicants.

Student Government heard an appeal from Dick Davis, an instructor in the Visual Communications Technology (VCT) department, and Louise Reed, a VCT tutor, to take over funding for the tutorial position currently held by Reed. The position is now being paid for by the Perkins Fund, a federal grant intended to help Voc-Tech students succeed.

The person in charge of the disbursement of the Perkins Fund, SCC Program Manager Tony Costa, said the grant is not intended to fund permanent positions.

“Perkins dollars can be used as seed money. Once a program is growing, we need to take that money and try out other things,” said Costa. He stressed several times that his job is to try to help as many students as possible with the grant money, that he has guidelines to follow and is not able to fund positions indefinitely. However, he also said he realized how important the VCT tutor is.

“If Student Government feels they can’t do it, then I will do everything I can to maintain funding, until I am directed to do otherwise,” Costa added.

The Perkins Fund is approximately $240,000 per year. About 20 percent of it pays for student tutors.

The Shoreline Student Government meets at 2:30 p.m. every Wednesday in the 1000 Building. Students are welcome to attend.