As a new year dawns at El Camino, the Associated Students Organization (ASO), equipped with a new administration, hopes to increase student involvement and awareness.

In an institution such as a community college, often times students take on a “get-in, get-out” sort of attitude. They are uninformed of the amenities that are available to them and as a result miss out on valuable opportunities and experiences.

“We want to encourage students to become more involved. Go to more events that are happening around campus, like sporting events and performances,” ASO President Joshua Casper said.

Casper said he hoped, at the very minimum, at least one member of the ASO will be able to attend the various events occurring on campus in hopes that others might follow their lead.

Students are encouraged to attend the Senate meetings, which are open to the public, and will be held on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month.

The ASO also hopes to become more visible and available to the students.

“We want to further advocate students and try to tackle the issues that concern them,” Casper said.

Casper said he believes that this year will be different from the previous because of the new members in office. He said they are more collaborative and that they will be working collectively as a whole senate.

He stated that he is very confident in his cabinet, as well as receiving dozens of applications for the different positions within a week.

“These are people who actually want to be there,” Casper said.

In addition to the new administration, the ASO has another factor working for them. Despite the recent budget cuts that have cut almost 60 percent state funding for student services, the ASO will not be affected. The Inter-Council Club (ICC) budget also remains unharmed.

“We were lucky, our budget was not sliced,” Casper said.

Casper acknowledged that expenditures will be varied due to the state of the current economy.

Casper has hopes to see himself, as well as his fellow ASO members, grow to be stronger leaders. hoping to strengthen his current values and specifically improve on his delegating skills.