Meeting Minutes
Associated Students | San Diego State University
Thursday, July 10, 2025 - 2:00pm
Council Chambers, Aztec Student Union
I. CALL TO ORDER
A.S. President Kareen Holstrom called the meeting to order at 2:10 p.m.
ROLL CALL
-
- Voting Members Present: Kareen Holstrom, Milan Rawls, Abby McLachlan, Aliza Siddiqui, Nadia Gallarzo, Ava Alvardo, Julia Biesman, Marco Loza, Karen Sawouq, Noah Stuart, Jasmin Zeis-Khalil, Brittany Santos-Derieg
- Voting Members Absent: Jessica Rentto, Caryl Montero Adams
- Non-Voting Members Present: Christina Brown, Araya Williams
- Non-Voting Members Absent: None.
- Guests: Olivera Jovanovic
II. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
It was moved and seconded to approve the agenda for June 4, 2025.
ALVARADO/BIESMAN CARRIED (11-0-0)
III. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
It was moved and seconded to approve the previous minutes.
RAWLS/SIDDIQUI CARRIED (11-0-0)
IV. PUBLIC COMMENT
-
A. None.
V. PRESENTATIONS AND UNIVERSITY REPORTS
- Jessica Rentto, Business and Financial Affairs Designee: No report.
- Caryl Montero-Adams, University President’s Designee, reported on the following: No report.
- Brittany Santos-Derieg, University President’s Designee, reported on the following:
a. Provided updates on the state of the budget of San Diego State University, including a hiring chill on new faculty, staff and administrators.
Provided an update on Title IV eligibility with the possible impact on graduate programs and teaching credentials. SDSU is considering how to support students who may lose access to financial aid and be forced to rely on loans.
VI. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION
A. Financial Affairs Committee Travel Requests (Action)
a. Best Buddies
b. Dance Marathon
It was moved and seconded to approve the Financial Affairs Committee Travel Requests, Best Buddies and Dance Marathon.
SAWOUQ/MCLACHLAN CARRIED (11-0-0)
B. General Consent Agenda (Action) - None.
C. General Consent Report (Information)
The General Content Report was reviewed.
VII. CLOSED SESSION
-
A. None.
VIII. BOARD OF DIRECTOR STUDENT AT LARGE REPORTS
- Student-at-Large, Ava Alvarado:Work is currently underway to develop a comprehensive document outlining student rights and protections, aimed at providing accessible and informative guidance on the subject. The goal is to create a resource that clearly communicates essential information and supports student advocacy. Efforts are also focused on refining the language and framing of these topics to ensure discussions around student rights are meaningful and impactful.
- Student-at-Large, Julia Biesman: A suggestion was made to distribute a form to students to gather feedback on what initiatives or actions they would like to see from Associated Students, particularly areas they feel have not yet been addressed. To encourage participation, the proposal includes incentivizing the form with an event or giveaway in exchange for the collected data. This effort aims to strengthen student engagement and help guide future programming based on student input.
- Student-at-Large, Marco Lozai: A two-day panel and networking event for graduate students is scheduled for the week before the start of the school year. This event will provide opportunities for students to ask questions, engage with peers and faculty, and enjoy provided refreshments.
- Student-at-Large, Karen Sawouq: Two meetings were held with Kareen and Abby to review resolution development, focusing on crafting impactful and inclusive language. Guidance is being sought on effectively engaging with the SWANA community, which is currently facing targeted challenges, including the collection of survey data to better understand and support these students. Additionally, discussions with the alumni network, facilitated by Chris Manning and Maureen, are underway to explore endowment opportunities and strategies to secure funding for the center to enhance its support services.
- Student-at-Large, Noah Stuart: A structured timeline is being developed to align SDSU’s SWANA community initiatives with similar efforts at other universities, aiming to complete key objectives within two years. Funding sources are still being explored, with outreach planned to identify entrepreneurs interested in donating to support these efforts. Additionally, a needs assessment is underway to better understand and address the specific requirements of SWANA students.
- Student-at-Large, Jasmin Zeis-Khalil: No Report.
IX. EXECUTIVE REPORTS
- A.S. President, Kareen Holstrom:
A student-led initiative is underway to plan a Recognized Student Organization (RSO) event supported by Associated Students, including funding, speaker coordination, and logistics. Jacie Foster has been appointed as the new A.S. Chief of Staff and will oversee the First-Year Experience Team (FLEX), Fast Track program and additional projects.
Members are encouraged to connect informally after meetings, which typically conclude around 5:30 p.m., with suggested gatherings at the Aztec Lanes or Aquaplex. This year’s overarching goals is to build hope through the core themes of community, safety, and visibility.
A.S. All-Council GroupMe remains an open space for engagement and dialogue among all members. - Executive Vice President, Milan Rawls:
Students are encouraged to participate in the upcoming Pride Parade with SDSU; those who sign up will receive a t-shirt. A rehearsal is scheduled for July 8, and the parade will take place on July 19 at 10:00 a.m.
For New Student Orientation (NSO), members are asked to sign up for tabling opportunities. Emails have been sent out regarding the AS Retreat, which will occur August 17th-19th.
Homecoming is scheduled for November 1, and the theme has been announced, voting forms are available for students, and a student competition is currently in development, as it has not been held in recent years. - Vice President of External Relations, Abby McLachlan:
Planning is underway for Constitution Day events in collaboration with the Office of Student Life & Leadership (SLL), scheduled for September 17, with a focus on increasing student engagement with A.S. Rock the Vote applications are currently open, and additional updates will be shared with the council as planning progresses into the fall semester. - Vice President of Financial Affairs, Aliza Siddiqui:
Check signing continues throughout the summer, with Thursday designated as the weekly check day. Members are encouraged to send names of individuals interested in joining the Financial Affairs Committee, which will begin meeting closer to the fall semester. Planning is also underway for the annual initiative, Aztecs Rock Hunger, scheduled starting October 27 through November 30 and overlapping with Homecoming. Participants will have opportunities to earn points through various activities. Events under consideration include staff dunk tanks, pie-throwing, and “Cooking with Chefs,” a collaboration where a chef will prepare a meal using items from the campus food pantry. The initiative has surpassed $1 million in donations, continuing to support both the food pantry and the San Diego Food Bank, with additional engagement opportunities like “Walk the Plank or Donate” being developed. - Vice President of University Affairs, Nadia Gallarzo:
Plans are in motion to coordinate meetings with college representatives and to organize a College Council Retreat.
Key summer initiatives include developing the Career Advantage and Your Voice Matters programs to ensure a clear and focused plan is in place ahead of the fall semester.
X. EXECUTIVE DIRECOR, ADVISOR REPORT:
- Christina Brown, A.S. Executive Director reported on the following:
Olivera is currently working on an inventory of the Black Cultural Centers’ activities, aiming to categorize their events and initiatives to better reflect their mission and impact. This effort is connected to the Career Advantage program to enhance student support.
B. Additionally, funding is being sought to hire a development officer who will collaborate with The Campanile Foundation funding through Associated Students. Priorities for fundraising include children’s center, basic needs programs, adaptive athletics, and support for the SWANA community.
C. There is an ongoing effort to expand the A.S. alumni chapter to strengthen networking opportunities, job placement assistance, and fundraising efforts.
XI. ANNOUNCEMENTS
None.
XII. ADJOURNMENT
It was moved and seconded to adjourn the meeting at 3:55 p.m.
SAWOUQ/BIESMAN CARRIED (11-0-0)
