Meeting Minutes
Associated Students | San Diego State University

Wednesday, April 15, 2020 - 3:30pm
Via Zoom

I.  CALL TO ORDER

II.  ROLL CALL

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    1. Voting Members Present: Christian Onwuka, Kyla Blaylock, George Scott, Dustin Adkins, Angelica Espinoza, Antonio Marquez Camacho, Cassie Weinberg, Kole Wellenstein, CJ Holt, David Gamble, Aubrey Benito, Daria Dragichevich, Kelly Renton, Kayla Abdullah, Courtney Parks, Lindsey Busk, Ashley Tejada, Bri Ruloma, Josh Purificacion, Abi Tamayo, Courtney Ransom, Megan Mahoney,
    2. Voting Members Absent: Kiki Charles, Connor Curley.  
    3. Non-Voting Members Present: Dr. Randy Timm (Left Early), Christina Brown, Nikki Eliaschev.
    4. Non-Voting Members Absent: None.
    5. Visitors: Jennifer Esquivel-Parker, guest_user8901. 

III.   APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

It was moved and seconded to approve today’s agenda.

SCOTT/MAHONEY                    CARRIED

IV.  UNIVERSITY REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS

    1. SDSU Vice President of Student Affairs Designee, Dr. Randy Timm:
      1. Both Presidential taskforce groups are moving forward with their plans.
      2. Explained the purpose of the University Tiger Teams and some of the issues that they are working on, such as retention, housing, yield, and welcoming new students to campus.

VII.  ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION

    1. General Consent Agenda (Action):
      It was moved and seconded to approve the general consent agenda, as attached.

      RULOMA/PARKS             CARRIED

    2. Selection of 2020/21 Commissioner Process Discussion (Information): Jennifer Esquivel-Parker reviewed the process of conducting interviews:
      1. Encouraged members to review the list voting members to have an accurate count of votes during the zoom interviews.
      2. She will be sending out the names and contact information of the applicants  to the commissioners and advisers this week so that they can reach out to the applicants to schedule their interviews. Let them know how many people to expect during their interview.
      3. Asked members to let the interviewees decide, with the commissioner’s guidance, whether they would prefer to be in the Zoom call for each applicant’s interview or if they would like to be placed in the “waiting room” during the interviews. Whichever is decided must be consistent for all applicants and every candidate must be asked the same questions.
      4. Reminded members that if any of the candidates are also currently serving as voting members on the board that they can vote in this as well.
    3. #UCB S20-01 A Resolution Calling for SDSU’s Commitment to Climate Action, Justice, and Leadership (Information, 2nd Reading):
      Courtney Ransom, Green Love Sustainability Commissioner, reviewed and explained the updated resolution. Members had the opportunity to provide feedback and ask questions.

    4. Selection of Campus Life Council members to serve on the Appoints Committee April 18-26, 2020 (Action):
      It was moved and seconded to select Kelly Renton, Josh Purificacion, Kole Wellenstein to serve on the Appointments Committee and Megan Mahoney, Daria Dragicevic, and Courtney Ransom as substitutes if needed. 

      DRAGICEVIC/ESPINOZA                      CARRIED

VIII.  REPORTS OF CAMPUS LIFE COUNCIL MEMBERS

    1.     Kyla Blaylock, Executive Vice President:
      1. Filmed the video for the virtual Explore SDSU.
      2. Aztec Achievement Awards (AAA’s) have been pushed back to April 30th.
      3. The awards ceremony will be taking place on Facebook Live and awards will be mailed to the recipients.  
      4. Will keep working on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives.
      5. Working on a soft operating contract with SDSU Athletics.
      6. Freedom of Expression Committee discussed “zoom crashing.”
      7. The A.S. Executive Officers have been participating in a search for the Dean of Library.
      8. Preparing for AS leaders’ transition.
    2. Christian Onwuka, President:
      1. Hopes that everyone is practicing self-care.
      2. Attended a meeting today regarding virtual retention strategies. 
      3. Will keep everyone updated about the University Senate meeting tomorrow.
    3. Angelica Espinoza, Vice President of External Relations:
      1. Expressed admiration and appreciation for everyone and gave a shout-out to George for all the work he is doing on behalf of students regarding these extenuating circumstances.
      2. Rock The Vote (RTV) ended on March 3rd and San Diego County was in the top two counties for voter turnout.
      3. Working with Yesenia Sanchez Garcia, Director of the Latinx Resource Center, to ensure that SDSU is supporting our Latinx students.
      4. CSSA is this weekend and will have updates soon.
      5. Leading the A.S. Virtual Promotions and Marketing Committee, one of the four working groups in A.S. Please send information about virtual events to be promoted.
      6. Dr. Tim White, the Chancellor of CSU, is delaying his retirement until the COVID-19 situation settles.
      7. Explained the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) statement regarding Coronavirus and reminded members of the importance of supporting the undocumented community, especially during this time.
      8. Continuing to work with Rachel Gregg on Census efforts. Please fill out the census.
      9. Working with Lobby Corps to advocate for college students, who were largely left out from the Coronavirus Federal Aid Package.
      10. The CSSA wrote a letter to the Chancellor's office two weeks ago about issues that students are facing, and the Chancellor's office has been very receptive. Will be having a phone call with the office tomorrow.
      11. Working to highlight graduating seniors in A.S. with Olivia.
    4. Dustin Adkins, Vice President of Financial Affairs:
      1. The A.S.Food Pantry is closed until further notice.
      2. Three A.S. Food Pantry Leads have transitioned to the Economic Crisis Response Team (ECRT) to work as Student Support Advocates and help the two coordinators process requests from students.
      3. In the process of reviewing the A.S. budgets.
      4. A.S. is committed to pay all A.S. part-time student employees through May 15, 2020.
      5. Funding for student programming will remain for student programs and be carried over into next semester for any events that had to be postponed. This also applies to the college councils and cultural organizations.
      6. Applications for the Aztecs Rock Hunger leadership team are open now until April 27th.
    5. George Scott, Vice President of University Relations:

      1. Explained the resolution that will be presented at the University Senate meeting tomorrow regarding credit/no credit classes and how it could impact students and financial aid.

      2. ‘Your Voice Matters’ has received many submissions and is working hard to respond to students as soon as possible. This tool has been useful to find out how students are feeling.

      3. Discussed College Council transition at the Academic Affairs Committee (AAC) meeting. Encouraged members to reach out to their successors and share successes and mistakes.

      4. Is in the process of reviewing all of the CSUs policy responses to COVID-19. 

    6. Antonio Marquez-Camacho, ASBOD Student-At-Large:
      1. Working with Cynthia Torres, the Undocumented Resource Area Coordinator, to find help and information for students who may need to renew work permits or papers.
      2. Self-care has been difficult, but is glad to find support within A.S. to be able to help students.
    7. Cassie Weinberg, ASBOD Student-At-Large:
      1. Encouraged members to reach out if they have any questions about applying to be a part of the Board of Directors.
      2. Commended everyone for all of the hard work they are doing, it is not going unnoticed.
    8. Christian Holt, ASBOD Student-At-Large:
      1. Reviewed the residence hall closures and changes to housing for on-campus residents. The desk staff were paid even if the residence halls closed. 
    9. Christina Brown, Executive Director:
      1. Reviewed the timeline of events of the past two weeks. She explained that A.S facilities remained open as long as possible. A.S. will be offering emergency pay for part-time student staff through May 15, 2020.
      2. A.S. applied to the Paycheck Protection Program. Will be hearing back soon about the small business act loans.
      3. Explained the four new A.S. working groups, which include the Virtual Programming Committee, Promotions Committee, Virtual HR Committee, Virtual Tool Committee. Expressed thanks to everyone who is working on those teams.
      4. Is serving on the University Emergency Operations Committee (EOC), which is how the university is communicating in this emergency situation.
      5. The summer term has gone virtual. There have been no decisions made about the fall semester being in person or virtual. The plan is to re-open for the fall, keeping in mind that SDSU has to follow state and county guidelines.
      6. Study abroad has been canceled for the fall semester.  
      7. Summer camps have been impacted at Mission Bay Aquatic Center.  
      8. Encouraged members to please reach out if they have any questions. Is proud of the work that they are doing with the committees. 
    10. Aztec Student Union Board:
      1. Hosting virtual events throughout the week including: Music Monday, Try it Tuesday, What’s Up Wednesday, and Fix it Friday.
      2. Student Life and Leadership will be hosting a virtual “escape room” during finals.
      3. Elections are on Monday. Interviews for chair positions will be happening soon.
    11. Campus Community Commission:
      1. Have been focusing on mental health and checking-in with members during meetings by talking about “mountains and valleys” of the week.
      2. Everyone shared Tik Toks at the meeting, and members were happy about it.
      3. ‘Pay it Forward’ day, in collaboration with ASUB, was set for April 28th. Finding ways to adapt the event to be appropriate for the current circumstance and provide to the community members who need it.
      4. Expressed appreciation for Kole for attending meetings since his freshman year and creating good morale within the commission.
      5. Explained the concerns of a student who is a member of the LGBTQIA community and is struggling at home, to acknowledge and encourage people to be mindful of the concerns that fellow students are facing during this time and to be supportive.
    12. Community Service Commission: No report. 
    13. Recreation and Wellness Commission:
      1. ‘Take Back the Week’ is happening virtually.
      2. The Health Expo will happen virtually next week.
      3. Informing students about virtual services that the Aztec Recreation Center has.
      4. Happy that we are able to meet on zoom. 
    14. Student Diversity Commission:
      1. Encouraging students to submit concerns or ideas to the Your Voice Matters platform. Some students have expressed concerns about class times being changed, which has impacted their schedules.
      2. Reminded everyone that the Economic Crisis Response Team is available to help students during this time.  
    15. Student Support Commission:
      1. Encouraging students to submit concerns or ideas to the Your Voice Matters platform. Some students have expressed concerns about class times being changed, which has impacted their schedules.
      2. Reminded everyone that the Economic Crisis Response Team is available to help students during this time.  
    16. GreenLove Sustainability Commission: No report. 
    17. Campus Life Council Student-at-Large: No report. 
    18. Marketing and Communications Commission:
      1. First virtual meeting was last week, which went well.
      2. Have been sharing university resources with members during meetings.
      3. Reviewed the MarCom election process at the meeting today. Elections are next week.
      4. Shared Tik Toks as the icebreaker activity, which members enjoyed.
      5. Happy that students are engaged with the commission and running for executive board positions. 

IX.  ANNOUNCEMENTS:  None.

X.  ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded to adjourn the meeting at 5:44 pm.

DRAGICEVIC/ADKINS                           CARRIED