Yes! We are back and better than ever. Bakersfield College’s African-American Student Union is blasting off in 2003. This year is going to be bursting with an abundance of activities and events for our organization, making it one of the most successful on campus.
We held elections Dec. 4, and this year, our AASU executive positions are filled by an elite group of people that promises to dedicate themselves to the betterment of our student union. They are a motivated group that we are exceptionally proud of: Terry Matthews, president; Farod Allah, vice president; Candice Mackey, secretary; Kenya Kindle, treasurer, David Stancil, activities leader; and Misty Coston, ICC representative.
AASU’s common objectives include establishing a lecture tour for high schools and community colleges; giving insight and encouraging African-American students to continue their educations; establishing a news medium that will inform African-Americans about new programs and services available to them; and engaging in the study of black history, U.S. history, California history and government history while fostering the growth of BC’s Martin Luther King Jr. Center.
Our immediate goal is to initiate a “drama-free” inspiration to our African-American classmates, creating an accessible place of comfort for them. The AASU is an elite organization here at Bakersfield College that deals with political issues and social struggles.
But more so, the AASU is an organzation with family values, and has that good ol’ home feeling of brotherhood and sisterhood. This is an organization where you can come and let your hair down, take your shoes off and read a book, and at the same time develop good study habits and self-assurance, exhibiting yourself as a role model among our classmates.
Once you become a member, you become part of the AASU family. We are here to address the needs and concerns of our student body. Our objective is to expand the enrollment of African-American students here at Bakersfield College and to facilitate a well-furnished organization, enabling students of all nationalities to come and receive guidance in any way, shape or form.
Since the genesis of the AASU, we have succeeded in reaching our full potential, but I dare you to watch out for us this year. This year, we will be working with the Cal State Bakersfield AASU to expand our reach that much farther. We are returning with a whole new “flava,” and just a few notches up from the past.
On Jan. 25, the AASU officers attended the Black College Expo in Los Angeles. As a club, we’re planning to attend the Soul Train Music Awards, also in Los Angeles. This month, we will be hosting “A Love Jones Event.” This whole month of February, Black History Month, AASU will be very active and we are going to show off at Bakersfield College like never before.
We will be visiting select high schools to recruit students for next semester. We also will be traveling to Magic Mountain on College Day in May.
This is just a glimpse of what AASU has in store. We believe in getting things done. We believe it only takes one to make a change, and if we as students come together, we will make a positive mark not only on Bakersfield College, but the world. There is nothing better than positive people. To unite as one, nothing can or will stop us, the African-American Student Union of Bakersfield College!
— Matthews is the AASU president.