Bryce Matson has been an ASO student trustee since fall 2003 and is a political science-history major.

What made you want to be involved with ASO?

My first semester here I wanted to get involved with student government. In high school, I mainly played sports, but I started getting involved in politics and thought student government would be a good way to get experience in politics and also help out students. I have a passion for helping students.

What are your duties as a student trustee?

My duties are basically to provide a student perspective to board matters. When issues come up such as budgeting concerns, I am able to add a student perspective to that.

Why are you the only ASO member to have a monthly salary, and how much is that salary?

It’s $200 and it’s a stipend. I think the reason they pay the student trustee and not other student government members is because it’s a district job.

So you are actually working for El Camino?

Yes. I have to fill out a job application and once it is looked at I have to fill out the forms as if I were to get a job at the Common Grounds coffee shop.

Do you get any kind of backlash or negative feelings toward you about being the only paid member?

Never. I think a lot of people don’t even know not as a person who would do something for the money; they know my character and because of the way I am.

What are you doing now to improve EC?

On campus we are working on a two-year book adoption policy. Teachers are stipulated to keep (the same) book for one year. After that year students are allowed to sell back their books. We are trying to make it two years because this will allow the students to sell their books back and then the new students to buy them used instead of new. We are trying to hit all areas, academics and enrichment; we’re trying to do the best we can.

How do you want to impact the school?

I wouldn’t necessarily want them to see me, but rather see services on campus are getting better…and notice that someone is actually doing something, that is what I would want people to see.