Meeting Minutes
Associated Students | San Diego State University

Monday, March 25, 2024 - 3:30pm
Council Chambers, Aztec Student Union

I. CALL TO ORDER

A.S. President Tarek Morsy called the meeting to order at 3:33 p.m. 

II. ROLL CALL

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  1. Voting Members Present: Tarek Morsy, Sam Lingao, Ally Gallant, Leo Pena, Melvin Ridley III, Alex Inglis, Kailey Quezada, Palni Bhatt, Patricio Silva, Derrick Herrera, Jessica Rentto
  2. Voting Members Absent: Gianna Salazar, Brittany Santos-Derieg
  3. Non-Voting Members Present: Isabella Todd
  4. Non-Voting Members Absent:  Christina Brown 
  5. Guests: Janice Dils, Todd Summer, Ben Eisenstein

III. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA 

It was moved and seconded to approve the agenda for March 25, 2024. 
QUEZADA/HERRERA       CARRIED (9-0-0)

IV. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

It was moved and seconded to approve the previous A.S. Board of Directors meeting minutes from March 4, 2024. 
BHATT/SILVA        CARRIED (9-0-0)

V. PUBLIC COMMENT- NONE

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VI. PRESENTATIONS AND UNIVERSITY REPORTS

  1. Business and Financial Affairs Designee, Jessica Rentto, reported on the following: The California Faculty Association and Teamsters unions negotiations have ended and resolved. The Mission Valley district opening has been successful and plans for future development are still underway. Provided a quick overview of the University budget. 
  2. University President’s Designee, Brittany Santos-Derieg, reported on the following: None. 
  3. Possible Changes to Equity Access & Meal Plan - Todd Summer, Aztec Shops CEO and Ben Eisenstein, Aztec Shops Associate Director (Time Certain 3:45 p.m.)
    Todd Summer and Ben Eisenstein presented possible changes to the Equity Access (textbook program) and Meal Plan based on updates from the Department of Education in terms of cash handling in relation to financial aid funds. Todd and Ben would like to come back to the A.S. Board of Directors to update the new board on the changes.

VII. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION

  1. General Consent Agenda (Action)
    It was moved and seconded to approve the General Consent Agenda excluding the Marketing and Communications Committee Meeting Minutes from 3/13.
    RIDLEY/LINGAO       CARRIED (10-0-0)

     

  2. General Consent Report (Information)
    The general consent report was reviewed. 

VIII. CLOSED SESSION- NONE

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IX. EXECUTIVE REPORTS

  1. A.S. President, Tarek Morsy: Encouraged people to vote in the A.S. elections. Career Advantage events have had a positive impact. 
  2. Executive Vice President, Sam Lingao: Encourage people to vote in the A.S. elections. The Explore SDSU presentation and tabling volunteer form will be sent out soon. This Thursday is when people will be notified if they are going to be awarded an award during the Aztec Achievement Award ceremony. If anyone is interested in helping MC the Aztec Achievement Awards, please contact Sam. 
  3. Vice President of External Relations, Melvin Ridley III: The end of the primary election season is here so now plans are shifting to focus on creating a foundation for the Presidential election in the Fall. The CSU Board of Trustees will be voting to alter transfer student credit requirements. Discussing changes to transfer and credit pathways in the External Relations Board. Looking to revise the A.S. resolution process to make a formal process.  
  4. Vice President of Financial Affairs, Leo Pena: Financial Affairs Committee has approved a $40K grant to fund students who are conducting research in areas in which the Aztec empire had influence. Meeting with cultural organizations to help them with requests for funds to ensure they are using all money allocated to them. The next two weeks Thursdays-Together have been planned. 
  5. Vice President of University Affairs, Ally Gallant: Currently serving on the College of Arts and Letters Dean search committee, there are five candidates and there are planned lunches with each candidate on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:30-1 p.m. in the Faculty Staff lounge. 
  6. Government Affairs Assistant Director, Janice Dils, on behalf of Executive Director, Christina Brown: Asked the Board of Directors if they would like to sit on the Student Media Advisory Committee (SMAC) to help select the General Manager of KCR Radio and Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Aztec. 

X. BOARD OF DIRECTOR STUDENT AT LARGE REPORTS

  1. Student-at-Large, Kailey Quezada: At the end of April, the Hispanic Serving Institution board will be putting together a welcome event for all new faculty, but the event is primarily geared towards LatinX faculty. No updates on the revised Institutional Learning Outcome. 
  2. Student-at-Large, Gianna Salazar: No report.
  3. Student-at-Large, Derrick Herrera: Attended two strategic planning committee meetings. It was great to interact with faculty who do not typically interact with students. Was able to inform faculty about A.S. sustainability efforts. April 13th will be the SDSU annual PowWow on recreation field 13. 
  4. Student-at-Large, Patricio Silva: Attended strategic planning committee meetings as well. was able to educate faculty about A.S. opportunities like the Oaxaca immersion trip. Was grateful for the opportunity to speak with various campus stakeholders. 
  5. Student-at-Large, Palni Bhatt: Attended three strategic planning committee meetings where she spoke in depth about commitments to DEI, being a Hispanic Serving Institution, and reaching R1 status. 
  6. Student-at-Large, Alex Inglis: No report.

XI. ANNOUNCEMENTS 

  1. Melvin Ridley III announced he received an assembly fellowship that he will complete after graduation!
  2. Sam Lingao announced that she worked with campus partners to create tickets for a March Madness Men's Sweet Sixteen watch party. Making tentative plans for the Final Four in Phoenix if SDSU makes it. 

XII. ADJOURNMENT 

It was moved and seconded to adjourn the meeting at 5:21 p.m. 
BHATT/LINGAO                    CARRIED (9-0-0)