EDITOR’S NOTE: This endorsement is the opinion of The Runner’s editorial staff. We interviewed the ASI president and executive vice president candidates and are endorsing those we thought have the best platforms and ideas.
Unlike the presidential or mayoral elections that are upon us, none affects CSU Bakersfield students quite as directly as that of Associate Students Inc.
ASI members are in charge of making numerous decisions that have the potential to impact the CSUB student body in great ways.
The Runner endorses presidential candidate Alex Dominguez and executive vice presidential candidate Nicole Mirkasemi to make those decisions.
ASI President
CSUB is in a unique situation this year in that both presidential candidates have both made significant changes to their campuses while holding the presidential office and possess the experience required for the role.
This time last year, The Runner endorsed current presidential incumbent Mike Kwon.
Although Kwon did fulfill his previous campaign promises to bring more events that promote student life to CSUB and has a strong plan to build on what he’s started if elected, Dominguez simply has a stronger platform this year.
Dominguez is running a campaign that, if elected, would reduce the amount of fees students would pay for the ASI executive board’s rate, as well as do more to bring local community involvement to CSUB, the way he did as president of Student Government Association at Bakersfield College. During his time, there he helped to implement gender neutral bathrooms and an on-campus farmer’s market.
This year, Kwon is focusing on big projects like extending library hours, expanding Runner Nights events and working with University Police Department to increase the number of security cameras and student officers on campus. Though these are lofty goals, all of them come with a price tag.
CSUB is a commuter school, meaning lower student fees would do more good for a larger amount of students than more concerts or events for a few hundred students. Additionally, Dominguez already has a plan to change the ASI budget to better reflect student interest. Both Kwon and Dominguez plan to engage with students more directly with town-hall-type meetings at convenient locations and times on campus.
Executive Vice President
Though Alana Lim is running on the same ticket as Dominguez, he and Mirkazemi both spoke overwhelmingly about advocating for students and connecting our campus to the community, and because of this, may make a better pairing on the ASI board. Lim echoed the goals Dominguez proposed and seemed the more social component to Dominguez’s political candidacy. Mirkazemi, on the other hand, is the full package. She has the experience, confidence, and willingness to critique the current inner workings of ASI to make them more student-accessible. Her proactive attitude made many on staff wonder why she was not running for ASI president herself. She seems the type to not be overshadowed by Dominguez’s politically dominating presence.
