Editor’s Note: Bella Celafu is a staff writer for The Channels and did not contribute to any reporting in this article.

City College’s Associated Student Government (ASG) convened on Oct. 3 where they appointed a new Isla Vista representative as well as a new club charter. 

ASG President Samuel Gustafson initiated the installation of philosophy and psychology double-major Alex Raphael as the new representative of Isla Vista. Raphael said she would like to help and represent City College students living in Isla Vista. 

“It’s a really good position to help make everyone or at least a large majority of our students feel heard and appreciated,” Raphael said. “Just like the students who live in Santa Barbara.”

Student Trustee Marco Bonometti asked Raphael if she lived in Isla Vista. Raphael clarified that she does not, however, she has many friends who do and understands through them the necessity of “removing distance” between Isla Vista and City College for students living there.

Student Advocate Kaila Service asked Raphael since she doesn’t live in Isla Vista, would she be able to understand the concerns and issues of those who do. Raphael said she’d like to think so because back when she was in high school she had to commute around 30 minutes to school.

“I know this came with a lot of challenges,” Raphael said. “I do recognize what it is like to live a little bit further from campus and to not be in the innermost communities that [City College] provides Santa Barbara.”

Raphael’s appointment as Isla Vista representative was approved by a majority vote of 10 yeses to two noes. 

Next, ASG chartered the new Women in Journalism Club. The club will be instructed by City College student Bella Celafu who was present at the meeting. 

“The mission for the club is to empower women to write compelling stories and just to make sure their voices are heard,” Celafu said. 

Celafu wants the club to educate students not only about the practice of journalism, but what it means to be a journalist and the career opportunities surrounding it as well. The Women in Journalism Club currently has 15 people interested in attending, which is the exact amount required for approval. 

The club was successfully chartered with 11 yeses to zero noes and three abstentions. 

ASG’s next meeting will be held on Friday, Oct. 10.