Samantha Festin

Finals week takes place as professionals prepare for the end of the semester and refresh their minds at the LOFT. As final exams and assignments come up, professors and employees at the college are focusing their energy on ending the year right by visiting the Learning Opportunities for Transformation (LOFT) development center. This campus hub makes the jobs of faculty and staff easier by providing equipment and tools for success.

Active Minds Advisor Suzanne Khambata coordinates with students in order to make the club successful in spreading awareness of mental health and solutions to stress and anxiety. The Active Minds meetings took place on Dec. 3 and Dec. 6 in the Student Services building in room I4-210.

San Diego Mesa College provided a Comfort Tent setup for students to free their minds as they practice calming activities and partake in conversations with peers while enjoying refreshments and listening to music. The event took place at the Learning Resource Center Quad from noon-5 p.m. on Dec. 3, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. on Dec. 4, and 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. on Dec. 5.

The Associated Student Government conducted a survey for San Diego Mesa College students to take online concerning the school and students’ progress toward their educational goals. A total of 112 students participated in the survey answering questions that helped the Associated Students discover more about what needs to be improved on the campus.

San Diego Mesa College hosted a Thanksgiving Feast event prepared by the Associated Students and culinary arts students. Timothy Ackerson, 21, psychology major and AS senator, planned this event with the help of the Associated Student Government. Ackerson presented a bill during the AS meeting in order for the event to take place.

French Professor Uriel Ornelas planned a Halloween event called “Une Nuit d’Octobre” meaning “an October night” this year with the French Club and Honors Club at San Diego Mesa College, featuring a French film with English subtitles for guests to enjoy. The film was called “See You Up There.”

Taylor Carpenter, 25, Black/Africana Studies and Communication Studies major, presented a slideshow sharing pictures and quotes from those who have attended the Voices from the Left event throughout the past years. This presentation was displayed as a proposal for the Associated Student Government to allow to take place in the upcoming year. The Associated Students agreed to continue this event as they were convinced by the words of the people who were a part of the event.

Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) Counselor and Borderless Scholars and Project Re-Start Coordinator Jesus Gaytan hosted the Undocumented Student Conference on Oct. 11. The event consisted of topics such as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policies.

The Associated Student Government discussed the distribution of their departmental funds to events and programs during their meeting on Oct. 1. The total budget they have set for funds is $2,500. This amount came from the student representation fee students pay for when they enroll for classes. The Associated Students plans to give $261 to the hosts of Transfer Day for next year. This is an event that gives students the chance to plan out the transfer process.

The Associated Student Government presented the Mesa Homecoming Tailgate, an event filled with festivities that took place before the football game between Mesa and Grossmont College on Sept. 22 from 4-6 p.m. The event proved to be a success after friends and family members gathered in Parking Lot 3 to celebrate the Olympians coming together to play against the Griffins.