Meeting Minutes
Associated Students | San Diego State University

Wednesday, October 16, 2024 - 3:30pm
Council Chambers, Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union

I. CALL TO ORDER

A.S. Vice President of University Affairs Trinity Dang called the meeting to order at 3:34 p.m.

II. ROLL CALL

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    1. Voting Members Present: Kat Hernandez, Taj Henry, Derrick Herrera, Vincent Lin, Trinity Dang, Maya Gerassi, Noor Shatara, Noah Stuart, Cole Alan, JJ Grier (left 4:00 p.m.), Pal Patel, Olivia Van Winkle, Milan Rawls, Daniel Frey, Jake Basile, Jackson Patterson, Anthony Quiroz, MaryJane Destro-Vasquez, Jesus Guzman, Clara Shim, Erin Rushing, Aadi Bery, Alexandra McMurray, Abelardo Garcia, Nick Felix, Nora Novak
    2. Voting Members Absent: Faith Ona, Cody Zippe, Colin Thurrell, Layla Tyree, Mohammed Erekat
    3. Non-Voting Members Present: Christina Brown, Christine Molina, Dr. Taharka Ade, Ashton Sophabmixay
    4. Non-Voting Members Absent - None.

    5. Guests: Olivera Jovanovic, Jacqueline Toy, Sandy Mekany

III. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

It was moved and seconded to approve the agenda for October 16, 2024. 

SHATARA/GERASSI                               CARRIED (26-0-0)

IV. APPROVAL OF THE PREVIOUS MINUTES

It was moved and seconded to approve the minutes for October 2, 2024.

NOVAK/MCMURRAY                             CARRIED (26-0-0)

V. PUBLIC COMMENT

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Jasmin Zeis-Khalil made a public comment.

VI. PRESENTATIONS AND UNIVERSITY REPORTS

    1. Dr. Taharka Ade, University Senate Designee, reported on the following: Looking into maintenance issues regarding campus building structures; A student was recently injured with a falling ceiling tile in the Life Sciences building. The next focus is concerns with the library and efforts to improve student safety with the perspective of student input and engagement in respective committees.
    2. Christine Molina, Vice President for Student Affairs and Campus Diversity Designee, reported on the following: Advocated for the Aztec Core Leadership Retreat. The application process is due on November 12th, and she encouraged students to share this with their community. On the 2nd floor of the union, there is a Commuter Resource Center and they are collaborating with Parking & Transportation to provide opportunities for access. With registration, Student Affairs & Campus Diversity is working with faculty members to revamp the 1st-year advising curriculum, with focus on ensuring students understand and utilize tools to prepare them for spring registration. Aside, there is a Homecoming Court dinner at the end of this week and there is a Commuter Coffee event on October 24th in the Commuter Resource Center at 2pm.
    3. Scholarship Presentation - Sandy Mekany, 2022-2023 A.S. Vice President of University Affairs and Office for Civil Rights, A.S. Department of Education, and Jacqueline Toy, Associate Director of the Weber Honors College, presented the following: Advocated for the Truman Scholarship, the nation’s premier undergraduate scholarship for students interested in public service and pursuing graduate school. The scholarship offers up to $30,000 plus access to programming, mentorship, direct hiring to the federal government and the ability to apply for additional matching funds with Truman graduate school partners. Applicants must have an outstanding record of leadership, public service, and academic excellence. They review over 800 applications for 55-65 scholarships awarded annually. The scholarship was administered by the Harry S. Truman Foundation and the scholarship includes a Truman Scholars Leadership Week in Liberty, Missouri, a Truman Scholarship Summer Institute in Washington, D.C., and the Truman-Albright Fellows Program in Washington, D.C.

VII. ITEMS FOR CONSIDERATION

    1. General Consent Agenda (Action)It was moved anbd seconded to approve the agenda, as attached.
      FELIX/NOVAK        CARRIED (25-0-0)
    2. General Consent Report (Information)
      The General Consent Report was reviewed.

VIII. INTRODUCTION OF NEW LEGISLATIVE MATTERS 

None.

IX. REPORTS OF UNIVERSITY COUNCIL MEMBERS

    1. College of Arts and Letters Student Council: There is $3,159 left in the college budget. They had a presentation from the Native Resource Center recently, and are also planning a career fair for CAL-specifically, incorporating sustainability. Aside, they are redoing their college logo.
    2. College of Business Council: They are meeting with their president to discuss and brainstorm ideas for future events.
    3. College of Education Student Council: Resumania is on Thursday from 11:00am - 2:00pm, where resumes can be reviewed for anyone. The college is hosting Salary and Negotiation Workshops in a few weeks.
    4. College of Engineering Student Council: Talking with architectural leaders of the campus to get students in construction management/engineering involved in campus projects. Currently, they are working on the Pumpkin Drop, the biggest fundraiser for Aztecs Rock Hunger. 
    5. College of Health and Human Services: Planning a panel for professionals related to speech pathology, physical therapy, epidemiology, and different health professions. 
    6. College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts: There is a PSFA “Showcase” in the works, an event planned for spring. They are partnering with Career Services to host a career fair on February 13th, time TBD. 
    7. College of Sciences Student Council: The council voted on and approved the change of a bylaw, and they are working on a career panel. The college is in the works of hosting a first-generation STEM-related event.
    8. Graduate Student Association: They are researching on how to grant access for students to use the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) passes.
    9. SDSU Imperial Valley: Their Art Gallery Director will submit an IRA proposal for their Dia de los Muertos event.

X. EXECUTIVE REPORTS

    1. Kat Hernandez, A.S. President: Last week, there was an executive officer lunch with Sacramento legislation. She discussed middle-class scholarships issues as well as the Time, Place, Manner policies. Yesterday was a Hot Chocolate with the President event, and she learned more about graduate student concerns and affairs. Today at 11:00 a.m., her and Vice President Chris Manning and Josh Mays released a statement regarding yesterday’s assault on campus. 
    2. Tajuddin Henry, A.S. Executive Vice President: Is open to having people join the Internal Morale Committee, focused on improving internal relations within A.S. He has started 1-on-1s and asked everyone to let him know if they are interested in collaborating with the Campus Life Council. 
    3. Vincent Lin, A.S. Vice President of Financial Affairs: There is a fundraiser for Aztecs Rock Hunger tonight at Eureka. As for the Study Abroad Scholarships, student leaders should have received applications in which they must review and accept or decline. 
    4. Trinity Dang, A.S. Vice President of University Affairs: Reiterated to fill out a Request for Excused Absence Form (REAF) should a student not be able to attend a future meeting. She is continuing 1-on-1s with the University Council and at last week’s Sacramento legislation lunch, she discussed potential implementations of a student bill of rights that aligns with the Academic Partnership Agreement.
    5. Christina Brown, A.S. Executive Director: Asked for people to continue promoting Aztecs Rock Hunger and let everyone know that if they need advice on what to report, speak with her.

XI. BOARD OF DIRECTOR STUDENT-AT-LARGE REPORTS

    1. Nick Felix, Board of Directors Student-at-Large: Student-at-Larges are always here to support if anyone needs assistance. Aside, next Thursday is the SDSU Homecoming Pregame Dunk Tank and Homecoming Court Gala.
    2. Nora Novak, Board of Directors Student-at-Large: Applications for CHESS have opened.

XII. ANNOUNCEMENTS

    1. Noah announced that tomorrow is an SDSU Carteer Fair for all majors from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
    2. Trinity announced that the Eureka fundraiser for Aztecs Rock Hunger is today, and to attend it after the University Council meeting.

XIII. ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded to adjourn the meeting at 5:13 p.m.

ALAN/RAWLS                    CARRIED (25-0-0)