Meeting Minutes
Associated Students | San Diego State University

Monday, April 20, 2026 - 3:30pm
Council Chambers, Student Union 3rd floor

I. CALL TO ORDER

A.S. President Kareen Holstrom called the meeting to order at 3:34 p.m.

II. ROLL CALL

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  1. Voting Members Present: Kareen Holstrom, Milan Rawls, Abby McLachlan, Aliza Siddiqui, Nadia Gallarzo, Julia Biesman, Karen Sawouq, Marco Loza, Ava Alvarado, Noah Stuart, Jasmin Zeis-Khalil
  2. Voting Members Absent: Brittany Santos-Derieg (left at 4:23 p.m.), Jessica Rentto
  3. Non-Voting Members Present: Christina Brown, Dr. Caryl Montero-Adams, Araya Williams
  4. Non-Voting Members Absent: None.
  5. Guests: Carlos Careaga, Tim Ripke, Ryan DeLong, Patty Rea, Mark Zakrzewski, Julissa Martinez 

III. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

It was moved and seconded to approve the agenda for April 20, 2026.
LOZA/BIESMAN       CARRIED (10-0-0)

IV. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

It is moved and seconded to approve the previous minutes.
ALVARADO/LOZA       CARRIED (10-0-0)

V. PUBLIC COMMENT: 

  1. A public comment was made regarding last Thursday's incident involving a red laser that caused concern in one of the classrooms.

VI. PRESENTATIONS AND UNIVERSITY REPORTS

  1. Brittany Santos- Derieg, University President designee: 
    A positive WASC review was received, along with recommendations that will be taken into consideration. All comments will be shared with the Board of Directors at a future meeting.
  2. Jessica Rentto, Business and Financial Affairs Designee: No report.
  3. Dr. Caryl Montero-Adams, University President’s Designee, to report on the following:
    No report.

VII. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION     

  1. A.S. Budget 25/26 and 26/27 (Information) - A.S. Senior Staff (Time Certain 3:45 p.m.)
    The A.S. Budget 25/26 and 26/27 was reviewed.The budget was brought forward to provide the Board of Directors with an overview of the anticipated financials for the upcoming fiscal years. No action was taken at this time, as this item was presented for informational purposes only.
  2. General Consent Agenda (Action)
    It was moved and seconded to approve the General Consent Agenda.
    MCLACHLAN/LOZA          CARRIED (10-0-0)
  3. General Consent Report (Information)
    The General Consent report was reviewed.

VIII. CLOSED SESSION: 

  1.  Proposals on Annual A.S. Staff Salary Equity Adjustments (Information) – Patty Rea, Associate Executive Director (Time Certain 4:45 p.m.)
    It was moved and seconded to open the closed session.
    SAWOUQ/MCLACHLAN    CARRIED (10-0-0)
    It was moved and seconded to approve the proposed annual A.S. staff salary equity adjustments.
    SIDDIQUI/MCLACHLAN    CARRIED (10-0-0)
    It was moved and seconded to move out of closed session.
    LOZA/STUART      CARRIED (10-0-0)

IX. BOARD OF DIRECTOR STUDENT AT LARGE REPORTS

  1. Student-at-Large, Ava Alvarado: 
    No report.
  2. Student-at-Large, Julia Biesman:
    BOD transition documents and notes.
  3. Student-at-Large, Marco Loza:
    April 10 business event: MBA & graduate business alumni chapter.
  4. Student-at-Large, Karen Sawouq: 
    SWANA / MENA celebrations & graduation ceremony 
    Registration link coming soon
    SWANA nights Tuesday 5-8pm
  5. Student-at-Large, Noah Stuart: 
    FAC event update and questions 
    SWANA progress & conversations on location
  6. Student-at-Large, Jasmin Zeis-Khalil: 
    Working on the resolution, hearing student experiences 
    Safety concerns in regards to UPD and student experiences

X. EXECUTIVE REPORTS

  1. A.S. President, Kareen Holstrom reported on the following: 
    Hill Week went well, advocacy for the CSU and SDSU 
    The Aztec Achievement Awards (AAA) are next week. 
    Safety happenings: following up with Josh Mays (AVP of safety) in regards to what happened last week and our reporting processes for on vs. on campus events
  2. Executive Vice President, Milan Rawls reported on the following: 
    Aztec Achievement Awards are next week on Thursday.
  3. Vice President of External Relations, Abby McLachlan reported on the following: 
    Hill Week Washington DC trip went well: lobbying efforts for pell grant and CSU priorities. 
    Advocacy Tool Kit going live.
  4. Vice President of Financial Affairs, Aliza Siddiqui reported on the following: 
    Finance Forward events are next week.
  5. Vice President of University Affairs, Nadia Gallarzo reported on the following:
    A third resolution on Palestine will be voted on at the 4/22 meeting.  
    The Academic Affairs Open House is tomorrow from 11 AM–1 PM, recruiting for executive boards and promoting their council. 
    UAB is currently reviewing YVM submissions and collecting data to pass along.

XI. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ADVISOR REPORT:Christina Brown reported on the following: No report.

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XII. ANNOUNCEMENTS: 

  1. Chi Omega Wish Week.
  2. SWANA event tomorrow: 5pm-7pm.

XIII. ADJOURNMENT 

It was moved and seconded to adjourn the meeting at 5:56 p.m.
SIDDIQUI/SAWOUQ                     CARRIED (10-0-0)