ASI makes the Cal Poly experience more than just college

All Cal Poly students are stakeholders in Associated Students Inc. and gain all the benefits that go along with it. Technically, ASI is a non-profit corporation with the vision of being every student’s connection to the ultimate college experience. It does so by providing opportunities for every student to develop themselves outside of the classroom.

These opportunities come to life through the Cal Poly Rec Center, the University Union, the Sports Complex and the Children’s Center. All students of Cal Poly have direct access to any of these facilities and the programs that take place within them.

ASI has several programs available to enhance students’ college experience. There are instructional or exercise classes at the Rec Center, intramural sports, the Craft Center, Poly Escapes, Rose Float, and Student Government in the UU.

ASI is also the second largest student employer on campus. It employs more than 400 students every year in positions from facility supervisors to personal trainers to student management. Student employees are responsible for making decisions about what bands are brought to campus for large concerts and UU Hour and which speakers are brought for the ASI True Life Series (i.e. Ron Jeremy, Jodie Sweetin). The student staff gains valuable work experience in an environment that makes student development its No. 1 priority.

As the primary stakeholders in the organization, students are the boss. Everything ASI does is with the full intent to better the lives of as many Cal Poly students as possible.

This is why several student leaders and I have continued to talk with many student organizations, clubs, greeks and classes to find out what the most important issues are on campus. Doing so will make sure we focus on what all Cal Poly students think is important.

ASI Student Government (a fraction of what ASI wholly is) plays a major role in both the campus and city communities. It holds the major responsibility of officially and accurately representing the views of the students of Cal Poly. This has been a year of successes for ASI Student Government and for the students of Cal Poly.

We began the year early in June teaming up with the college eeans, the vice president for Student Affairs, and the provost to commit over $28,000 and provide students 515 daily copies of The New York Times free of charge.

In fall, the newly restructured executive staff led by Chief of Staff Melissa Robbins came together for the first time and proved how strong a team they were. Every member gave countless hours to put together CP Next: Generation Vote, CP Next: Generation Sustain, and coming on April 25 to 26, CP Next: Generation Tech. These programs continuously bring out hundreds of students and serve to educate and motive students to participate in the discussion of crucial issues in our society.

From the incredible survey results that were recorded last year by ASI President Tylor Middlestadt’s team, it was found that the largest priority among students who use the bus system is to extend the service into the late evening hours. Using these results, Student Government has been able to collaborate with the city of San Luis Obispo to make the extension a priority.

Thanks to the hard work of student leaders and city officials, the city applied for and won an 18-24 month grant that will allow the SLO Transit bus routes most utilized by students to be extended through even the latest night classes, fulfilling the No. 1 transit priority amongst students.

Amongst all the successes that have been achieved this year we have also been looking to the future. Student leaders have been conducting an extensive outreach program to uncover the most prominent priorities among students.

Through visits to each of the residence halls, college councils, and many clubs, the crowded gym resonated as the most commonly shared concern. To develop a solution to this problem, student leaders must continue to actively engage their fellow students to find out how they value an expanded Rec Center and what the common thoughts are.

The decision will ultimately be up to the students to choose whether or not they are willing to pursue the expansion of the Rec Center.

Most importantly, ASI exists for students. If you have questions, comments, or would like to get involved please do not hesitate to contact me. My e-mail is asipresident@calpoly.edu and I can be reached on campus at 756-1291.