Students
seek ASI position at higher rates
By
Anthony Vasquez
Online Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer
Compared with the last two years, the amount of candidates for the Associated
Students Inc. Senate, vice president and president at CSULB has increased significantly.
The next ASI election will be held March 27-29.
In the 2004 election, 10 students ran for the six available senator-at-large
seats, three for vice president and three for president. In 2005, 10 ran for
the senator-at-large seats (the same number as the prior year), two for vice
president, and five for president. This year, 19 students are running for the
senator-at-large seats, four for vice president and five for president. Additionally,
six of the seven elections for senators representing each of the colleges are
contested. In total, 18 out of the 20 Senate seats are up for election.
“
It’s really great to see people run for office,” said ASI Vice
President Hironao Okahano.
With the creation of the Beach Team, a volunteer program set up by ASI, during
the 2004-05 school year students have been able to practice their speaking
and leadership skills while they prepare to campaign if they choose to run
for office. ASI has also improved its promotion to students.
“
We’re doing a better job passing the word around about opportunities,” Okahano
said.
Another potential reason for the increase in candidates is the desire for change.
“
People want to see change and more diversity,” Sen.-at-large Ashley Stanton
said.
According Sen.-at-large Brian Campos, ASI has been able to get more attention
on campus by communicating with students.
“Random people just come in,” Campos said.
Additionally, some may be unhappy with the increase in tuition and other fees
that have taken place over the past years and want to seek ways to prevent
more increases.
“
The cost of tuition and parking has gone up. The overall cost for the student
has gone up,” senior communications major Pheng Uy said.
According to the Cashier’s Office, in-state tuition for seven or more
units has increased from $1339 last year to $1432. Out-of-state tuition,
$339 per unit, did not change. Thus far, there is no way to know whether it
will increase for the following year.
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