Staff Writer
CSUB’s student government, Associated Students, Inc., recognizes their inability to effectively reach out to a larger amount of students. The organization met on an eary Friday afternoon on Jan. 25 to discuss matters involving the student body. Their weekly meeting, which was canceled the previous Friday, was held in room 155 of the Business Development Center (BDC) building.
One of the main concerns almost immediately expressed was the organization’s inability to attract more students to campus events. ASI has attended and sponsored many events both on campus and within the community. However, their efforts have not led to the attendance they strive for.
As the meeting progressed, senior psychology major, Jeannette Ortiz, revealed, “There is no pride at CSUB.” Ortiz, who is looking to rejoin ASI, suggested, “finding a hook and keeping them interested.”
Micheal Ogundare, a junior PEAK major, believes, “They try but for $14 they could do more to reach out to students.” The $14 Ogundare referred to is a set amount of student fees that go toward ASI to help pay employees, as well as fund campus events.
According to ASI’s website, the mission of the student government is to “provide an official voice through which students’ opinions and issues may be expressed.” ASI President Hernan Hernandez, a graduate student majoring in sociology, reiterates this message by stating, “There’s always the passion to advocate for students.”
ASI has made an effort to reach out to students and give them the opportunity to voice any concerns. Several board members engaged in conversation with CSUB students about campus life.
Some commonly asked questions were introduced, such as: Why hasn’t the tuition refund been reimbursed yet? Why don’t more students know about RunnerLink? Why did it take the bookstore over a week and a half to get the required textbooks? Why is the Office of Admissions and Records staff so rude? Lastly, why does the Roost only have Happy Hour on Thursday?
Junior psychology major, Brittany Watkins adds, “They don’t really have events that cater to my interests. When they do have have events, they hold it at inconvient times when everybody’s in class.”
Along with the plan to resolve student issues, ASI also came up with a “CSSA Strategic Plan.” This plan is used to help create ideas for different ways to get more students interested and engaged in campus life. A fellow board member, junior psychology major Nick Smith, expressed the need to be more social by saying, “We need to be out on campus more than we need to be here sitting.” Ortiz piggy-backed on this idea by urging members to “wear ASI.” One way introduced was for members to introduce their affiliation to ASI when they meet new people.
The strategic plan offered several options to market events which included getting clubs and sports teams more involved. Colleen Dillaway, the Director of Public Affairs and Communications for CSUB offered her assistance by elaborating on her ability to promote events being held at CSUB through numerous media outlets.
ASI also looks to hold more events, which includes at least one large event per quarter. This quarter, students can look forward to the annual homecoming dance. This affair will be preceded by week-long activities. Watkins offered another way for ASI to reach a bigger audience, “They should do the morning announcements on TV like in high school.”
