ASI
Senators actions harmful to university
Melissa
Duque
Recently the Associated Student Inc. senators have taken it upon themselves
to exclude our campus from the California State Student Association (CSSA).
CSSA is a group that represents California State University students in matters
relating to fee increases, financial aid, textbook prices and other areas relevant
to maintaining the CSU mission of an affordable and accessible quality education.
CSSA facilitates the advocating of student interests to administrators, community
members and state and federal legislators.
The reason CSSA is able to advocate so effectively for students is because
it represents such a massive constituency, the more than 400,000 students of
the CSU system. Only with a message of unity from all CSU students will the
state legislature care to listen to our concerns. Only when students are able
to leverage such a large number of potential voters will Sacramento consider
freezing student fees after years of increases.
The Senate is incorrect in thinking that because we are one of the largest
CSU schools we would be able to have the same amount of influence on our own
as we do through CSSA as a collective.
As a matter of fact, some of the people who voted for this have, despite numerous
invitations, never lobbied themselves. If they had, they would realize how
difficult it is to get anything done when you are only a small organization
among the hundreds of wealthier entities and individuals lobbying every day.
Is financial aid not a priority? Is the textbook problem larger than CSULB
and should we not collaborate with other universities in solving it?
One of the concerns raised during deliberations was the cost of CSSA membership.
I agree the dues are expensive.
However, if the senators had done the appropriate research and obtained a copy
of the CSSA budget with detailed line item information regarding the events,
activities and resources CSSA provides and facilitates, they would have seen
we are getting an honest deal.
The senators may compose the Board of Directors for ASI, but as a shareholder
I would at least like to be notified that something of this magnitude was being
discussed. I know not all students care, but I have two senators representing
me as part of my college and six senators who represent me as part of the at-large
student body.
Why was there no notice this was being discussed?
I currently have a position in ASI and have a desk in USU-311, where the senators
offices are located and I was not aware this was going to be on the agenda.
For the Senate to make a decision of this nature without hearing from their
constituents is irresponsible.
I hope other schools look at our Senate and laugh. I hope government officials
will look at us, laugh and close the door on us.
Why? It seems that will be the only way our elected student government officials
will pay attention.
It is time we kept ASI Student Government officers accountable to who they
represent. Who wants to join me?
Melissa Duque is a senior history major.
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