News Editor
Associated Students Inc. President Mariela Gomez stated during the ASI meeting that the new CSU Bakersfield President will be announced during the week of March 19.
“What we [the presidential search advisory committee] did about three weeks ago, is that we actually interviewed the candidates and we got down to our final three, so now it is up to the Board of Trustees to choose the final candidate,” said Gomez.
Gomez said she was very grateful for having participated in the search, and that she kept in mind the thoughts of the students who attended the presidential search forums that she hosted. The forums were done last semester by Gomez. In them she asked students what they wanted to see in the next president.
Gomez also spoke about working on Senate Bill 203, and how it will dictate ASI’s stance on the proposed CSU budget increase.
There was an update on the ASI budget, and several campus issues were brought up.
“The resolution [of Senate Bill 203] would state that we are in opposition of any tuition increase that would be possible, again I want the resolution to encompass the fact that we need a fully funded CSU,” Gomez said.
Aaron Wan, director of the L.E.A.D. program (Leaders Engaging in Advocacy and Development) questioned what would come after the approval of the senate bill, and if the purpose of the bill was just to state ASI’s stance on the tuition increase.
Gomez explained that the purpose of the senate bill now is for ASI to state its stance. Additionally, the bill will be distributed to campus officials, informing them what ASI is advocating for.
A plan of action will be coming shortly after.
Selina Galvan, director of budget management, delivered an update on the ASI budget. ASI has allocated $25,168 this school year, and they have $14,832 left in their budget.
The finance committee has recently awarded a total of $1,678 to five different clubs and organizations on campus, but there are still some clubs that have not requested any funding from ASI.
“So, I was telling the finance committee that, M.E.Ch. A. (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan) and Japan and Beyond, we need to reach out to them and make sure they get their funding before we run out,” said Galvan.
Three campus issues were brought up during the meeting in an effort to find resolutions. Justin McKinley, vice president of finance, reported the lack of skateboard racks by Science III.
Mohammed Cook similarly brought up the lack of bike racks by the soccer fields.
Finally, Illaria Pesco, reported a campus issue that was brought up by a student through ASI’s Instagram. The student sent them a video of dirty computers in the Walter Stiern Library, and Wan chose to take on the issue.
Voting for the ASI elections will begin March 21. The results of the election will be announced on Friday March 23.
