Empty seats and silence were the theme of the evening at the first Biola Associated Students open forum at the Fireplace Pavilion on Nov. 7. The event was created to address student concerns and questions about AS and what they do.

The panel consisted of the AS Executive Board junior vice president of finance Evan Tan, vice president of programming and events Jennifer Essig, senior vice president Laura Cook, senior president Chris Yim and junior vice president of marketing and communications Richie Gowin. In addition, several senators were present in the audience.

After Yim welcomed the dozen students seated at the pavilion, the panel began fielding questions.

Open Forum answers how to get involved with AS

The first question came from freshman biology major Mourin Serour, who asked about how to get involved with AS. Essig responded by listing multiple opportunities.

“We actually have positions available in the spirit board to be a volunteer,” she said. “We also have positions available in the spring … for the Coalition for Social Action coordinator.”

The forum began during a period when many students have class. However, vice president Laura Cook said she felt there was no perfect time to host an event and AS simply did the best they could.

“There’s so many events that are always going on,” Cook said. “We decided to have it before AfterDark and right after the Caf closes so people leaving the Caf would stop by.”

The forum cost $1,500 to host and featured hot apple cider, two TV monitors and around 100 empty chairs.

The event also featured a text-in option, which allowed students to text their questions to a designated phone number rather than asking them out loud. There were about three questions posed via text, including one from intramurals coordinator Luke Hamagiwa.

Other topics discussed at the forum were limited Library hours, Nationball wristbands and the newly formed 24-hour prayer texting service. The service allows students to text prayer requests to a committee of students who will then pray for them.

Not enough questions asked, event ends early

Because of the low number of questions asked, the event ended 45 minutes early. Rather than sitting behind microphones at the front of the pavilion, Yim declared that the AS officers would instead speak face-to-face with attendees.

Junior journalism major Josh Kristianto, who asked three of the five student questions directed toward the panel, said he felt the forum accomplished its purpose of reaching students.

“Students should be interested in student government,” Kristianto said. “I just wanted to find out more about AS because the average student, including me, doesn’t really know what AS does.”

Although the turnout for the event was lower than Yim had hoped for, he said he did not regret it because it demonstrated AS’ commitment to Biola students.

“I’m glad we did it, because I wanted to communicate that we are accessible,” Yim said. “At least we were able to answer a few questions for some students.”

Yim was unsure about whether AS would host a future event in the same vein as an open forum, but said he wants to keep ensuring that AS remains approachable.