By, Jonathan Ng |Staff Writer|
James Walker has been declared ASI president for the 2012-2013 academic year. After counting 1243 votes, James Walker won the three-way election with over 53.7% of the total count, according to the ASI office.
As ASI president, Walker plans on making some big changes within the community of CSUSB. “One of the major changes I plan on doing this upcoming academic year is working on the external affairs of CSUSB and expanding the Lobby Corps that ASI implemented earlier this year,” said Walker.
Current situations that are surrounding CSUSB are the budget cuts, the CFA, faculty tenure and the unions. Walker plans on building a relationship with state legislators, senators, assembly men and other leaders at the state level to establish paths for change in the future.
“Our students need to be represented on the state level because we have so much capability with over 16,000 well educated scholars,” said Walker.
Walker believes that promoting the principles of shared governance among ASI and students is important in building a community here at CSUSB; as well as keeping the students well informed of the amount of impact they could do for current and future CSU students.
“All major decisions regarding funds or programs are made on either boards or committees. Inserting student representatives into the mix of these committees would make us well represented as a student body and less decisions would be made without our consideration,” said Walker.
The lack of communication and involvement among the faculty, administration and the students are some of the main issues for Walker.
“I plan on getting students involved in school by putting in a lot of effort and hardwork by reaching out to the students in ways such as tabling in front of the library or the Student Union during office hours, having one of ASI’s representatives chair at all the committees and boards on campus, throwing events that get our name out to the public and recommending exceptional students for leadership positions on campus,” said Walker.
One of the most important things for Walker this upcoming year is organizing the priorities of the student body; through a system of open communication and feedback from the school faculty, administration and the students.
Walker holds a priority to those who are of importance. The external affairs of the lobby corps and building relationships with state officials, holds priority at the local level as well as to CSUSB students.
The childcare services on campus and CSUSB sports are examples of what Walker believes are important to the students. These programs were proposed and decided by the students to increase the funding.
Walker believes that if something enhances the experience of students at CSUSB, he is all for it.