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Author: Linus Smith

Smith is an aspiring journalist, and suit enthusiast. He is working to obtain a degree in Journalism. Smiths hobbies include spending time with friends, hiking, going to the beach, and mastering West Coast Swing dancing.

Dean controversy leaves unsteady relations for staff and administration

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Building blocks for a new Student Government

Student representation on campus has two new faces.

On April 20 2017, Palomar College’s Associated Student Government (ASG) wrapped up with its presidential, and vice presidential election. In the aftermath, 34-year-old Chris Hopp was elected president, and 20-year-old Amber Bancroft was elected vice-president; both candidates ran unopposed for their respective positions.

The 21-year-old Senator Armanda Contreras, who has been with the ASG for two years, said that “I was very happy for them. Because I know they know what they’re doing. They know their positions, and I’ve seen their work as I have been together with them – and I know they will be taking the best positions in pro for the student community.”

With their tenures beginning, the two set their eyes on making an impact in the coming academic year.

“I’d like to see somehow us to have an impact,” President Hopp said “[Bancroft and I] are both kind of legislative focused, we have this idea that more can be done for the student experience than is currently being done, and I’m not talking student experience as in things happening on campus but the student experience as a whole.”

Chris Hopp

ASG President Chris Hopp attends DACA rally, SU-Quad, Sept. 5th. Linus Smith/The Telescope
ASG President Chris Hopp attends DACA rally, SU-Quad, Sept. 5th. Linus Smith/The Telescope

Hopp has been with the ASG since January 2016. “I first became interested in student government because I had some problems in navigating the college system,” Hopp said. “In finding my way through that I found student government, and I wanted to make a difference in helping other students navigate that college experience.”

Hopp began as a senator in the ASG, he served on the policies and procedures committee, was chairman of the legislative affairs committee. The two of those then led him to take on off-campus duties, which included becoming the treasurer, and later on the legislative affairs director for Region 10 of the Student Senate for California Community Colleges, which covers all the community colleges within the San Diego area.

Through email, Director of Student Affairs, Sherry Titus, said that she is pleased with Hopp being the new president of ASG. “He is extremely committed to the work he is doing and his role as the ASG president and student trustee. He is articulate, well prepared, and is an outstanding student leader,” Titus said.

Hopp’s academic career began in Wisconsin, where he grew up. Straight out of high school he attended University of Wisconsin Whitewater, but later decided to drop out. From there, he took on a string of jobs that eventually led him to begin working at a heating and cooling company named Hovland’s Heating & Air. During his four years at Hovland he worked his way up to the position of general manager, but then decided again that it was time to change direction.

“I was a very driven employee,” Hopp said. “I worked my way up through any company I worked at. I did very well for myself, but it wasn’t what I wanted to do with my life in the end.”

Image Sources

  • Hopp_Smith_1: Linus Smith/The Telescope | All Rights Reserved
  • News.Bancroft.Keener04: The Telescope Newspaper | All Rights Reserved
  • Hopp_Smith_Feature: The Telescope Newspaper | All Rights Reserved
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