Who do you think is behind the organization of events like the Otterlands music festival? Or the ones advocating for affordable tuition and fees, or running the food pantry? Who are creating scholarships to pay for books or capstone expenses, or helping students with discounted theme park tickets? The answer is the Associated Students (AS), the student government of California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB).
AS is an organization of students functioning as a branch of CSUMB’s government. Representatives and members of the organization are AS officers, who are voted into office by CSUMB constituents, also known as CSUMB students.
Leading this branch for the 2022-2023 academic year is AS President David Ledesma. The third-year Global Studies major has spent the last two years serving as Vice President of Financial Affairs. Ledesma says he’s always felt inclined towards leadership and after observing the Associated Students during his orientation he thought “That could be me one day,” Ledesma said.
The primary function of AS is to serve, represent and empower CSUMB’s student body in all areas. AS achieves student empowerment by functioning as a channel of communication, transmitting messages to and from university departments and students and vice versa .
Ledesma works alongside AS leaders and officers to engage with students, turning decisions into actions.
Executive branches of the CSUMB’s government may not listen to the complaints of each individual student but “We are recognized as a voice of the students that the university will listen to,” Ledesma said. “Everything goes through us.”
Third-year biology major and AS officer, Peyton Huck will continue her efforts to make a positive impact on the student body in her current position as College of Science senator. Huck says she has always wanted to be involved in a leadership group seeking to make positive changes. As she began her education at CSUMB “I threw myself into everything,” Huck said.
Third-year kinesiology major and Vice President of Internal Affairs Jonathan Semillo says his position has given him a chance to learn from his peers and “a platform to voice concerns that are going unheard.” Among Semillo’s priorities for the upcoming academic year is to hire and fill remaining AS positions but communicating with students is at the top of the list.
Semillo and fellow officers seek to provide the supplies and services a college student needs to succeed but a lack of student engagement limits the scope of AS’s impact.
Reelected to continue her current position as University Affairs Vice President Diane Ruiz has long known the importance of getting involved to implement positive changes. “It’s vital for us to be engaged and part of society,” Ruiz said. “It’s important to provide value into what we pursue.”
Ruiz agrees services provided by AS are most beneficial when students are involved in brainstorming and decision-making processes. For Ruiz, student empowerment means actively listening to students and utilizing her platform to fulfill needs. Her AS experiences have reinforced the importance of “keeping an open heart,” Ruiz said.
Filling the role of Basic Needs senator for a second time is Marine Science major with a minor in Spanish language and Hispanic culture, Jewelia Fletcher.
“I’ve always been a team player,” Fletcher said. “And I want to do more for students.”
In her first month in office, Fletcher facilitated the Basic Needs pop up pantry, serving over 250 students. She frequently involves herself in projects with the Environmental Affairs committee. “My position is about outreach and supporting students and faculty,” Fletcher said. “And we are striving for community engagement in the years to come.”
If you’re wondering about limited parking in convenient areas of campus, AS knows why it has to do with CSUMB Master Plan’s efforts to be sustainable.
If you’re wondering how the PASS/NO PASS credit for courses was implemented, it’s because AS advocated for students’ during the COVID-19 pandemic and facilitated in extending the course option.
If you’re wondering if an on-campus student arcade could be built, Semillo says “It’s possible.”
And if you’re wondering how to make the arcade possible, express concern, ask questions about making changes to CSUMB or the university’s services, AS wants to hear from you.
AS Senate meetings are open to all, every Monday 12:15 to 2p.m - Otter Student Union building, Suite 304.
Story and illustrations by Hanna Sobonya for The Other Otter.
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