The Union

Serving The Community Since 1946

June 1, 2023

ASO faces budget deficit

By Nasai Rivas, Eddy Cermeno & Matheus Trefilio

The Associated Students Organization is grappling with a deficit that poses a significant threat to the future of student activities, clubs and other vital programs.

The deficit started during the 2022-2023 academic year when administrative services projected Associated Students Organization (ASO) with a revenue of $470,000.

The projected revenue came from 2021-2022 budget numbers.

Despite this, the revenue projected was only around $360,000.

“We as an organization are bleeding,” Ricky Gonzalez, interim director of the Student Development Office, said.

The ASO Benefits Pass, which funds 100% of the budget, gives students discounts for various services and goods around El Camino. However, students are opting out of the pass by 50% which diminishes ASO’s funding.

ASO has taken proactive measures, including cutting its own allocation of the budget, to address the financial situation by ensuring continued funding for its various programs including the Inter-Club Council.

“They were misinformed about this by the previous Director and Dean of Student Support Services,” Gonzalez said. “These projections were not properly distributed.”

According to Gonzalez, the issues of ASO were amplified by the departure of several advisers: Student Service Specialist Chris De La Cruz, Student Services Adviser Debbie Allison, Director of Student Services Greg Toya and Dean of Student Support Services Idonia Reyes.

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Benefits pass

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