Features and Opinions Editor
CSU Bakersfield’s Associated Students Incorporated is looking to leave a lasting mark on the campus during the 2015-2016 school year, while also furthering initiatives and ideas put forth during the last school year.
ASI President Mike Kwon, Vice President Jennifer Sanchez, and Vice President of University Affairs Anish Mohan are most concerned with making an impact on students. Perhaps the most lasting memory that this batch of ASI will leave could be a monument located in the campus garden, although all three executives admitted this was in the beginning stages of development and concrete details have not been hammered out. However, Kwon did say the statue or monument would be produced from an outside source. No details of specific funding were given because it is in an early stage of development.
“We are trying to push for a campus monument or statue,” says President Kwon. “It is going to be a statue or monument that really encompasses the spirit of our campus.”
Though no solid plans are yet in place, the group thinks Runner Park might be the perfect place. Kwon alluded that this statue was not the only project ASI is working on, however; details on other projects and initiatives would be made known to students when ASI has more resolute details to introduce.
“We have some bigger projects, but I don’t want to say too much because those are still up in the air,” said Kwon. Kwon also said that ASI is evolving with students, as well as the environment. “This year, we are really [trying to get] ASI to the students, as far as the resources and services we provide,” said Kwon. “I know in the past it has been about clubs and organizations receiving funding, but this year we are trying to educate students about sustainability initiatives.”
One of those initiatives is expanding the water filling stations installed in 2014. These are drinking fountains with a dedicated bottle refilling option. Mohan is entering ‘phase two’ of the expansion for providing these options.
“We have got a lot of positive feedback from students in places that still haven’t seen it. Such as Science I, the Wrestling Complex and the library,” said Mohan. Those are some of the places that we plan on installing.”
Sanchez provided numbers on just how large the impact is on a sustainability scale.
“In the first, quarter or so, we had already saved about 60 thousand water bottles from going into landfills. That is about in the first quarter and a half. We are really excited about that.”
Another point the executives highlighted in the sustainability category was the success of the bike share program, located near campus police. Sanchez, who was heavily involved with faculty and the Student Recreation Center in bringing about the free bike share, beamed at the number of students who used the bikes during last year.
“I recently spoke to Mary O’Mahoney [SRC Director] and she gave me the numbers for about the first 21 days that people started checking out bicycles. From May 22 to June 12, the bikes had been checked out 780 different times in 21 days.”
Each of the executives seemed bright-eyed and open to the idea of creating larger community relationships and connecting with the academic community at large. Sanchez discussed a summit over the summer that ASI attended with Bakersfield College Student Government Association that aimed to strengthen ties with both schools. To give a kick start to a greater student involvement, ASI is taking part in CSUB’s Launch Day that will take place on Sept. 16 from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. It starts with a campus bike ride and finishing at 9 a.m. with more activities near the Student Union building.
