The 2020 Associated Students Incorporated (ASI) Elections are underway, but the road to victory for candidates has been an uphill battle as cyber campaigning has become the new norm.
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, candidates have marketed themselves through various social media platforms and Zoom meetings.
Though campaigning has become completely digital, this hasn’t changed the morals, values, and identities that students are choosing to campaign for.
“It’s just a learning curve for how we are going to do what we would usually do on a virtual platform. Marketing is going to be a struggle,” said Presidential candidate Sage Keyner.
Keyner has been involved in ASI for two years and, with her experience from being around great leaders, she now feels she is ready to lead the corporation.
“I’ve been exposed to so many leadership opportunities that it led me to the decision to want to take on this role, and the positions I have had were pivotal in this,” explained Keyner.
Being team-focused and leading a sustainable campaign are some of the highlights she is focused on in order to be victorious.
The President of ASI not only operates as the Chief Executive Officer but is also the face of the corporation.
Third year Political Science major, Nicolas Sablan, wants to add value to that face by hosting more engaging events and fully connecting with the student body.
Sablan feels there should be more collaboration with culturally based clubs and increased access to mental health resources, especially because of the COVID-19 crisis.
“I want to lobby our state and federal governments for COVID-19 recovery funding. We need more money to hire more therapists since this is a serious issue,” mentioned Sablan.
The current pandemic has become an integral part in many of the candidates’ platforms and how they will look to address certain issues for the next academic year.
Fourth year Global Studies major, Graciella Moran understands that unprecedented circumstances always happen and plans to take immediate action about this, if she is elected.
“The very first thing I plan to do is ensuring students that we are going to be okay and having a conversation on how we are going to restore funds and damages done,” explained Moran.
Moran’s focus is on marginalized and underrepresented communities, including students with disabilities, as she is a cancer survivor.
“If we could build more partnerships between CSUSB and the County of San Bernardino in regard to giving back to cities, that would be amazing,” said Moran.
Transfer student and Communications major, Reyen Warren, has a different outlook on the situation and wants to make housing her first initiative, if elected into office.
“On campus residents should feel safe by implementing key fobs within all the doors as safety has been a very big issue within the dorms,” said Warren.
Warren did express that, although this crisis did prevent her from implementing her physical approach, social media has definitely been the cheaper route.
Senior Psychology Major, Marina Stone, has had a seamless transition since she is running unopposed for the Executive Vice President position.
“I am really focused on sustainability so I do think that there are better ways than just printing flyers. I wanted to avoid that anyway since it’s better for the environment,” said Stone.
This particular position is unique as the office holder not only supports the president, but also makes sure students are represented on various campus-wide committees.
“I think that I can help bring the structure to the position as it is needed and give it more of a purpose. It is important to support your other executive members,” explained Stone.
The last position that makes up the Executive Team for ASI is the Vice President of Finance, who provides financial stability and oversees Club Allocation Budget funding.
Three candidates are poised and ready to take this position with three very different platforms and campaign styles.
“My main focus is being more transparent with ASI student funds that we pay. A lot of people don’t know where those fees go to,” explained Vice President of Finance candidate Steven Santos.
Santos hails from the Coachella Valley and is one of the first people to ever run for this position as a student from the Palm Desert Campus.
“I am trying to reach out to some of the organizations on the San Bernardino campus just to get to know them a little bit better because I don’t really know a lot about the San Bernardino Campus,” said Santos.
Paola Galvez finds herself in a unique situation, as she is a freshman, but believes it is never too early to run.
Galvez is striving for complete transparency and accountability for her time in office while also wanting to simplify CAB funding.
“Many times, in politics, things can get distorted and false information is provided. But during my time in office, integrity and discipline will be huge,” said Galvez.
Second year Nursing Major, Sabrina Chang, is leading a campaign based on accountability but has a vivid background in accounting.
“In high school, I was the chapter and region treasurer for Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, so I was able to write checks and create budgets,” explained Chang.
The programming on campus and the Women’s Resource Center has led her to become more involved and run for this position.
“They were able to let me meet more people and they have such a friendly environment upstairs. I really enjoyed the recent basketball game with a free meal,” expressed Chang.
Programming for ASI has now become fully digital with the Presidential Debate having taken place on April 29 at 12:00 p.m.
The candidates will be looking for student support via voting which will take place May 6 and 7.
Leave a Reply