Delta College students have approved revisions to the Associated Students of Delta College (ASDC) constitution, clearing the way for expanded student representation, including the creation of a new senator position tied to the South Campus at Mountain House.
The changes, passed following a two-day student vote on Jan. 14, take effect immediately and allow ASDC to add a Senator of South Campus and increase the number of senators-at-large as enrollment grows, according to ASDC President Ema Fua.
Fua said the revisions reflect both the college’s physical expansion and the strain placed on a small student government tasked with representing more than 30,000 students across multiple campuses.
“Right now, we’re a group of 11 students representing more than 30,000 Delta College students,” Fua said. “We’re responsible for shared governance, student advocacy, and fulfilling our goals for the academic year. That’s a lot for such a small board.”
Fua said the lack of representation for Mountain House students had become increasingly difficult to ignore.
She explained that during her first year in ASDC — the 2024–25 academic year, when she served as secretary — she was still learning Delta’s structure and did not initially know Mountain House existed.
“When I learned more about Mountain House, my immediate thought was that we needed a student representative there,” she said. “How can we represent students whose campus we don’t regularly visit, and whose concerns don’t always reach the board?”
The new position, officially titled Senator of South Campus, is intended to give Mountain House students a consistent advocate at the district level. The campus is located 29 miles from Delta’s main Stockton campus, a distance that often limits engagement.
“Our student population is growing not just in Stockton, but at Mountain House as well,” Fua said. “We felt it was time to make sure students there had a direct voice in student government.”
Dean of the South Campus Dr. Pablo Ortega said the change would be welcomed by students, while emphasizing that determining the role’s impact remains an ASDC responsibility.
“The creation of one ASDC senator for Mountain House would be a welcome change,” Ortega said. “I am sure students who attend our campus would love their voices to be represented at the main campus.”
Ortega said transportation remains one of the primary barriers for students who want to participate in governance meetings held in Stockton.
“From a practical perspective, students are required to attend meetings in Stockton, and that poses a challenge if transportation is an issue,” he said.
Fua said ASDC plans to allow the new senator to attend weekly board meetings either in person or via Zoom to ensure equitable participation for a student based 45 minutes away. She said shared governance participation is still being discussed because ASDC does not control whether committees permit remote attendance.
“We hope the heads of those committees will consider allowing Zoom for the new senator,” she said. “But the new senator will decide which committee they want to join.”
Students at Mountain House say they have already seen increased engagement from student leaders over the past year, including campus visits and outreach from ASDC.
“I do feel represented by ASDC leadership,” said Edwing Miranda, president of South CampUS Leadership, the first student leadership group formed at Mountain House. “Last semester ASDC visited our campus and introduced themselves. Their dedication to come to our campus and discuss future ideas to bridge the main campus and Mountain House truly makes me feel represented.”
Miranda said many Mountain House students have limited familiarity with Stockton, and vice versa.
“I’ve seen students who live between both campuses but have only ever gone to one,” he said. “Both campuses should advertise the other to help students explore the full Delta experience.”
Sheena Gali, treasurer of South CampUS Leadership, said travel remains the biggest challenge, though virtual tools have helped.
“Traveling to Stockton can be difficult, but Zoom and email have really helped keep communication open,” Gali said.
Both student leaders said a dedicated senator would strengthen communication and advocacy.
“One hundred percent,” Miranda said. “A senator can encourage college students to branch out and connect with both campuses.”
Gali added that a senator would help ensure Mountain House concerns are consistently raised.
Students cited several needs unique to Mountain House, including the absence of a campus bookstore and limited outdoor space for gathering or studying.
“Mountain House needs a larger area for students to socialize,” Miranda said.
Beyond the South Campus role, the revised constitution allows ASDC to expand the number of senator-at-large positions to as many as 20. Fua said the board will determine when additional seats are needed based on shared governance demands and available budget for student stipends.
“We’ve had many qualified students apply who we simply couldn’t bring on,” she said. “This gives future boards the ability to involve more students who want to lead and advocate.”
Fua said ASDC expects to appoint an interim Senator of South Campus soon. The candidate under consideration is Miranda, who would serve until the spring elections, when any Mountain House student may run for the seat.
“With the constitutional revisions now passed, we can move forward,” she explained.
Fua said she hopes students understand the significance of their participation in the vote.
“To students who feel disconnected from ASDC, I want them to know that their vote matters,” she said. “It may not feel important to you personally, but it matters to students who need representation.”
