By snoadmin
As any previous national or local government election has shown, voting for leaders is significantly more important than many individuals assume it to be. As affiliates of a nation, state or — in our case — student body, our big chance to make our thoughts count is through voting. Yes, some may argue that one vote won’t make a difference, but when we have hundreds or thousands of people making the same claim — like pennies — this adds up.
With Cal State Long Beach Associated Students Inc. elections creeping up on us, we urge all of you to further inform yourselves on what exactly the responsibilities of ASI are. The outcome of these elections will affect every student on campus.
For those of you that don’t know, ASI oversees various components of our student life on campus and makes decisions about what happens to more than $8 million of our student fees annually. ASI funds student groups and instituted several much-loved student facilities, like the University Student Union in 1971, Intramural Sports and Wellness in 2004 and our ever-famous Student Recreation and Wellness Center in 2010.
The Development Office of ASI looks for contributions to further develop programs such as the SRWC, student clubs and organizations, the Union Weekly and K-Beach Radio. ASI also runs the Isabel Patterson Child Development Center, Beach Pride and the ASI Recycling Center.
The ASI website states, “Supporters of Associated Students are in a unique position to have a direct impact on the student body of California State University, Long Beach.”
In essence, if we wanted to be a part of student activity on campus, members of ASI would be the people to see.
In fact, the Associated Students Senate holds meetings every Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. to acknowledge any campus-related issues and concerns students may have. “All students are welcomed and encouraged to present their views during the ‘Student Opinion Period’ held towards the end of each meeting,” as stated on the ASI website.
The Business Office of ASI deals with issues pertaining to the campus’ financing. The office “performs bookkeeping, accounting and financial reporting services in support of the various programs and departments of the Associated Students, Incorporated,” the site reads. “In addition, it provides a variety of personal business services for all CSULB students through its Service Counter, such as Student Health Insurance.”
The importance of voting for ASI leaders comes into play when controversial issues emerge. Examples include when president and CEO of ASI James Ahumada introduced the $20,000 computer program OrgSync to the Senate, or when ASI leaders’ were petitioned for recall because of salaries. Supporters and opponents should both express their thoughts to help ASI leaders better understand our wants and needs.
On Monday of this week, ASI candidates held a “meet and greet” with students in the College of Business Administration walkway, and on Tuesday, the candidates held a forum where they answered questions. These are opportunities to understand the duties and responsibilities of ASI, and to become more familiar with CSULB’s potential ASI leaders, their views and goals for our campus. Students should be actively involved in election season, getting to know the candidates and their platforms.
Also on the March ballot is a referendum to bring back a CSULB football team, a measure we should all be informed on. We’re voting ‘no.’ Elections will be held online from March 21-14. Remember: you have to express what you want in order to get it.
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