Starting in Jan. ASB advisor, David Cobian, has come up with a new and more efficient method of selling tickets for Grad-Nite coming up in late May. They identified several issues with the methods used in previous years and decided to address them in order to streamline the process.
“The reason for implementing the [new] system is because we have access to a lot of technology and it gives students an opportunity to make appointments. That way, they do not feel rushed to go to the window to buy a ticket. With the appointment, the student [has] that day to buy a ticket during lunchtime as long as they bring the proper forms,” Cobian said.
Cobian emphasizes that by having an appointment-system, students were able to purchase their tickets more efficiently. With the right technology, Cobian was able to assign students specific days to line up at the ASB and purchase tickets. One of ASB’s finance officers and senior, Prisilla Aguilar, explains Cobian’s motives for switching the ticket-buying system.
“Our ASB advisor has seen the problems that seniors go through every year, they do not like wasting their lunch for days just to buy a Grad-Nite ticket. He wanted an easier way for us in finance as well, so we do not have to stay after school for an extra hour for a whole month,” Aguilar said. “He saw [those problems] and decided that only allowing 30 tickets everyday would be easier for everyone all around. [It would] be less stressful for seniors, knowing they have a definite day to buy a Grad-Nite ticket.”
Aguilar highlights how assigning specific dates for each senior to purchase their tickets has made the process less stressful and easier. It is a more efficient alternative that benefits the ASB staff and students. ASB’s President and senior, Ava Nixon, shares how the change affected students and the staff in ASB.
“This change makes it much less stressful for students and ASB’s finance commissioners. Students don’t have to worry about rushing to the ASB window after class and it is much less chaotic inside the ASB,” Nixon said.
Nixon emphasizes the benefit of the newer method and the convenience it has provided. As the ASB President, she overlooks what goes on at the window. The less-hectic process and increased efficiency, takes the stress off of everyone as a whole. Cobian states the process of deciding to make the change official.
“I spoke to some students that have gone through an experience of buying Grad-Nite tickets in the past and I also spoke to some colleagues of mine. As we brainstormed, I used Google Forms, Excel and some other programs to create a database,” Cobian said. “Then from there, I just created a messaging system through Jupiter so I can message the students based on appointments and also use that data to run the Choices List.”
Cobian used multiple perspectives and opinions to help finalize his decision. He also used the help of technology and websites to further assist the process and make it smoother for the administrative staff. Aguilar provides her input on the problems they underwent with the previous method.
“The previous method was too much to handle for people in finance, students and staff as well. It affected everybody since the mix of stressed out people who are waiting for tickets, to the students rushing and even cutting in line hoping to buy their tickets that day,” Aguilar states.
Aguilar mentions the issues of students constantly rushing for a spot in line and even cutting other students and ASB officers in line. She knew that there had to be a change implemented eventually. Now that the new system has launched, Cobian, the ASB and seniors are navigating through the change.
“I am very happy and satisfied with this system. Along these lines is the system that I also created for Homecoming when I created a program to scan the students’ IDs. This technology that we have available, systems and softwares, are made for us to use. We all carry our cell phones and we all carry digital devices,” Cobian said. “[We] also know that these softwares out there are available. It is just a matter of implementing them,” Cobian said.
Cobian mentions how he will also be using this system for future events such as Homecoming. Using the newest technology that we have was one of Cobian’s intentions, the administrative staff and students can use it to their advantage. So far, he is happy with how the system is working out and looks forward to continuing this same method in the future.
“I want to thank Mr. Cobian for being the person to take the brave step of changing the process even though he did not know what the outcome would be like. He took a leap of faith and it is working 100 percent perfectly,” Aguilar states.
