Meeting Minutes
Associated Students | San Diego State University

Wednesday, April 26, 2023 - 3:30pm
Council Chambers, Aztec Student Union

I. CALL TO ORDER

A.S. Vice President of University Affairs, Sandy Mekany, called the meeting to order at 3:33 p.m. 

II. ROLL CALL

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  1. Voting Members Present: Sandy Mekany, Shawki Moore, Meena Alexander, Sophia Koch, Robson Winter, Ilias Benbatoul, Jacob Cherayil, Ally Galant, Olivia Peachey, Griffin Cour, Kailey Quezada, Lindsay Guadette, Victor Plunkett, Colin Ro, Nina Go, Malia Preisendorf, Alexa Trcka (left at 4:30 p.m.), Charlotte Giacobetti, Sydney Simpson, Justice Herrera, Ethan Shelden, Brandon Bartosh, Ava Walker, Grace Devega
  2. Voting Members Absent: George Kaplan, Trevor Gartlan, Tyler Hollander, Alvin Pham, Camila Milanes, Devon McVicar
  3. Non-Voting Members Present: Isabella Todd, Christina Brown
  4. Non-Voting Members Absent: Dr. Randy Timm, Christine Molina, Dr. Marissa Vasquez 
  5. Visitors: Christopher Baker (College of Arts and Letters), Noemi Portello (Professional Studies and Fine Arts), Dr. Aneisha Mitchell

III. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

It was moved and seconded to approve the agenda.

GALLANT/SHELDEN       CARRIED (22-0-0)

IV. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

It was moved and seconded to approve the University Council meeting minutes of 4/5/23. PLUNKETT/PREISENDORF      CARRIED (22-0-0)

V. PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

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VI. UNIVERSITY REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS

  1. University Senate Designee Dr. Vasquez: No report. 
  2. University Vice President for Student Affairs and Campus Diversity Designee, Aniesha Mitchell: Community specific graduations will be ongoing for the next following weeks.There will be the first ever Trans-border graduation in Tijuana. Last Friday the “Quest for the Best” winners were announced and Sandy Mekany was selected as a recipient. 
  3. Presentation - Dr. Madhavi McCall, Associate Vice President, Curriculum, Assessment & Accreditation (Time Certain 3:45 p.m.): Dr. McCall held an open discussion surrounding the current issues that are being discussed and decided upon in the University Senate. Many of these issues are surrounding faculty authority in dropping students from class or the waitlist process. There are currently two proposals in front of the Senate and Dr. McCall was looking to gain Associated Student support behind these proposals. 

VII. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION

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

    GIACOBETTI/TRCKA      CARRIED (22-0-0)

  2. General Consent Report (Information): The general consent report was reviewed.
  3. Survey (Information)
    A.S. University Council members completed a survey sent out by Sandy Mekany about their time as a college representative. 
  4. End of the Year Reflections (Information)
    A.S. University Council members shared their reflections and favorite memories about being a part of the University Council and being a representative overall. 

VIII. REPORTS OF UNIVERSITY COUNCIL MEMBERS 

  1. Sandy Mekany, Vice President of University Affairs:The University Affairs Broad took a library resources tour and is working closely with Dean Walters to ensure there are adequate resources for students in the library during finals.
  2. Shawki Moore, President:The A.S. The Board of Directors approved the E-gaming proposal. There is an ongoing discussion between the Board of Directors and the university president regarding the Out of State and International Fee and the lack of shared governance. 
    The last all council meeting will be on May 5th and it will be a transition to the new A.S. executive board. 
  3. Meena Alexander, Executive Vice President: April 27th will be the Aztec Achievement Awards and council members were encouraged to go. Dr. Lisa Gates has asked Meena Alexander to spread the word about the importance of the Leadership minor at San Diego State, and that it will soon be expanding into a major. 
  4. Robson Winter, Vice President of External Relations:Robson visited Washington D.C. last week where he worked on lobbying Congressional representatives about expanding the Pell Grant and protecting Dreamers, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, on college campuses. 
  5. Sophia Koch, Vice President of Financial Affairs: Sophia reminded council members to submit their study abroad recommendations because it is past the deadline. The Financial Affairs Committee approved a one time $10,000 donation to go towards the Trans-border graduation in Tijuana. 
  6. Christina Brown, Executive Director: No report. 
  7. Ava Walker, ASBOD Student-At-Large: No report. 
  8. Brandon Bartosh, ASBOD Student-At-Large: No report. 
  9. Grace DeVega, ASBOD Student-At-Large: The Board of Directors have approved the proposed A.S. bylaw amendments for the College of Arts and Letters Council, College of Engineering Student Council, and the Commuter Student Board. 
  10. College of Arts and Letters: Elections for the College of Arts and Letters have been completed and the new executive board has been finalized. Today at CAL’s meeting they completed multiple check requests and ended up using most of CAL’s allotted budget. 
    Begun transitions of the executive board to next year. 
  11.  College of Business: Working on transitions into the next executive board. 
  12. College of Education:The Freedom of Expression Committee has elected a new chairperson. The College of Education Student Council has begun transitioning to the next year and there are still a select few positions still available. 
  13. College of Engineering: Aztec Aerospace placed 8th nationally.
    Aztec racing has made exceptional progress for the first time in 24 years. 
  14. College of Health and Human Services:The final meeting was on Tuesday where they were able to honor multiple students and faculty with awards. CHHS elections applications will close tomorrow and will be announced at the last meeting on May 2nd. 
  15. College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts:No report. 
  16. College of Sciences:Finalizing elections. The College of Sciences Student Council won the all college council trivia bowl. 
  17. Graduate Student Association: No report. 
  18. Undeclared College: No report. 

IX. ANNOUNCEMENTS

  1. Lindsay Guadette: The Noah Hytken Memorial basketball tournament is this weekend at the Aztec Recreation Center and Viejas Arena. 

X. ADJOURNMENT 

It was moved and seconded to adjourn the meeting at 5:10 p.m.

GALLANT/GO        CARRIED (21-0-0)