Hello CSULB! I am Mitali Jain; my major in Nutrition and Dietetics. I immigrated from India in 2016. I struggled with immigration services due to my status and felt powerless. As a woman of color, it has been difficult to locate my path. This led me to join ASI and advocate for those in the marginalized community that felt like I did. I am running for the ASI President to continue my work by representing students from all communities and uplifting them. 

Being in ASI for 3 years, and serving as ASI Vice President of Finance and USUBOT Chair, I tirelessly worked for the student body. I advocated for housing and food insecurity on campus by working with Basic Needs and Beauty2theStreetz, opening the ASI Beach Kitchen and ShakesSmart as part of a wellness initiative, increasing ASI grant and scholarship funding, and funding 400+ clubs and organizations on campus.

Platform:

I’m a woman of color, and an immigrant from India who arrived in 2016. I serve as ASI Vice President of Finance to uplift our LB community and if elected ASI President I will continue to advocate for: 

• Student Academics/Engagement
  • Prevent the implementation of +/- grading policy
  • Hold monthly open forums that promote transparency and dialogue with the student body
• Diversity/Inclusion
  • Advocating for cultural resource centers and having student's voices heard
  • Advocating for AB 540 students, first-generation, non-traditional, and other marginalized groups for equitable resources
• Basic Needs
  • Promote the food assistance programs with Basic Needs
  • Working towards getting the TAP Card program back
  • Promote shuttle pick-up program from LAX airport for international students
  • Collaborate with Beach Pantry, Basic Needs, and Beauty2theStreetz to combat food and housing insecurity
• Infrastructure Improvement
  • Advocating our legislators for funding to improve campus structures and AC system

If Elected, what do you bring to this position that will help to promote growth in the students around you?

To help promote growth in the students, we have to look at the root cause of the concerns they have. To promote growth is to promote mental, physical, and emotional well-being. For physical well-being, I want to work towards increasing wellness programs in SRWC and in ASI Beach Kitchen. For mental and emotional well-being, I will continue to collaborate with Basic Needs and CAPS and work on expanding their services. Other resources that will help in student growth would be providing more financial assistance through scholarships, working with students on campus to establish cultural centers, and improving campus infrastructure to better accommodate the needs of students.

As President, you are responsible for attending meetings of the Cal State Student Association (CSSA) each month. What are the current issues that are affecting the CSU system and how do you plan on informing the student body about these issues?

Currently, as a part of the ASI executive team, and in my current position as ASI Vice President of Finance, I am very familiar with the issues that are affecting the CSU system currently. Some of the major issues are more financial aid for students in the CSU and for funding the CSU system further by advocating for a bigger budget from the governor. Students from CSU campuses have faced hardships in terms of food and housing affordability. I plan on doing monthly TikTok videos informing the student body about CSSA and my efforts on advocating for these issues. Besides videos, I will also inform them through monthly newsletters and monthly events where they can meet me and ask questions to promote transparency and open dialogue.

How will you bring student issues and concerns to the attention of university administration and ensure that they are being addressed?

I have been meeting with the administrators monthly with the ASI executive team and I believe in my ability to advocate for the student's voice. I will continue to have monthly meetings with the student organizations on campus like I have now and ask them about concerns and issues. I will bring those concerns to the administration and set deadlines and have actionable items to follow through the concerns. I will ask for a follow-up meeting if deadlines and actions are not met and address them so that there is accountability. My goal is to make sure students' concerns are being heard by the administrators and this process is transparent.

Hello! I’m a Mexican American student within the College of Liberal Arts. With my psychology degree, I want to focus on child development while dedicating time to working at a nonprofit that supports low-income neighborhoods.

With my position within the Latinx Student Union, I have worked to unite and uplift the Latino community on campus by planning the Chicano/Latino Graduation. Through my role in ASI, as the Senate Vice Chair, I serve on the Basic Needs Committee. Having struggled with food and housing insecurity, I realize the vital role it plays in student success. I worked alongside the director of Basic Needs to bring Beauty2TheStreetz to campus and will continue to fight for significant changes within the system that will benefit our campus community. I look forward to the opportunity to represent ALL students from different ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, and backgrounds and ensure everyone at CSULB has a voice.

Platform:

As a woman of color, I want to work to unite all the underrepresented communities on campus and give marginalized communities a platform to fight for change.

• Basic Needs
  • Create a campus-wide Basic Needs student committee
  • Expand Basic Needs services and grants that will aid students suffering from housing and food insecurity
  • Re-establish the free and discounted bus permit for students
  • Support initiatives and programs that relieve technological hardships
  • Advocate for the development of mental health resources
• Accessibility and Equity
  • Establish Affordable Housing for low-income students
  • Seek more job opportunities for AB540 and Undocumented students to work on campus
  • Create more ramps and increase the accessibility of our campus
  • Expand the resources available through BMAC
• Representation and Transparency
  • Bring commencement back on campus
  • Raise awareness on how student funds are being utilized
  • Students will vote on ASI and university-wide fee increases (parking, renovations, etc.)

If Elected, what do you bring to this position that will help to promote growth in the students around you?

I am involved in various organizations on our campus. This has given me an opportunity to appreciate each and every unique community and understand the struggles that students may face. I am constantly advocating for underrepresented students through my position in the Latinx Student union, and I will continue to bring that fight to ASI. I will bring my passion, resilience, and open mind to this position, and hope as a leader to promote personal development in my fellow students. I will help students navigate these difficult transition years and offer the students vital resources needed for academic and personal growth. In short, if elected, I will help promote the growth of students around me by uniting our college campus into a strong force and confidently lead us toward achieving our goals.

What are some things you would like to see accomplished by the Senate next year?

Having served in Senate for two years, I have faced several predominant issues that have affected our student population. I want Senate to continue the fight for equal opportunities vital for academic success regardless of status, gender, or identity. Through legislation, I want to address the concerns surrounding the overruling of DACA and make CSULB and safe haven for all students regardless of documentation. Furthermore, a major goal I have for this upcoming year is to increase the transparency within Senate. I will urge each board member to host a town hall once a month to inform students of all different communities of what prevalent issues are affecting them. Together we can address these issues and improve these accessibility gaps.

Overall, I want Senate to be a welcoming place that unconditionally supports ALL students dealing with a variety of issues.

As Executive Vice President, you serve as the Chair of the Board of Directors/Senate. How do you plan on creating positive working relationships with the board while ensuring effective communication in order to properly represent the student body?

I'm a person that values dedication, inclusiveness, and transparency. As a student leader, it is vital to strengthen the bond that Senate shares. I will emphasize the importance of a collaborative environment that allows others to feel confident and comfortable within the team.

I strive to be a leader that encourages students to take chances with innovative ideas that benefit each respective community. Giving students the freedom and flexibility to lead by example will foster growth within each leader. This position will grant me a platform to effectively communicate with the student body and understand the issues different communities face. This information assists in the representation of marginalized students that don't have access to resources vital for their academic and personal growth. If elected into this position, I will tirelessly fight to ensure that equity and diversity are the main focus and ensure that each student has a voice.

Hello, my name is Alvin Tu, and I'm a senior at Cal State Long Beach, studying Operations and Supply Chain Management and Finance. Previously, I served as Executive Vice President of the Financial Management Association of Fall’22 and as a Fixed Income Analyst at Beach Investment Group. Through these experiences, I have honed my leadership skills and gained a strong understanding of project management.

With five years of experience, I understand the intricacies of project management and the importance of effective project coordination. My goal is to bring my experience and skills to ASI and work towards positively impacting campus life. I am committed to improving student life by providing more opportunities for funding and creating a community.

I believe in uplifting the student body and making their voices heard. I look forward to serving the students of Cal State Long Beach and making a difference in their college experience.

Platform:

As a senior studying Operations & Supply Chain Management and Finance, I bring a unique perspective as a proud Asian American and FirstGen student to the role of Vice President of Finance in student government.

I am committed to being an active participant and putting the students first. I believe in integrity, trust, and transparency in all aspects of life. My main goals include the following:

• SLD Office
  • Enhance SLD operations through efficient processes for both the office and student organizations.
• Student Lead Organizations
  • Streamline transactions and simplify logistics for student leaders regarding events and memberships.
• Infrastructure Improvement
  • Support the FUTURE U project for USU renovation and expansion.
  • Advocate for funding for campus structure improvements such as the fine arts department.
• Basic Needs
  • Expand and raise awareness of food assistance programs.
  • Re-initiate the TAP Card program.
  • A Collaborate with Beach Pantry and Basic Needs to address food and housing insecurity.

If Elected, what do you bring to this position that will help to promote growth in the students around you?

As a candidate for the Vice President of Finance, I am excited to bring a combination of relevant skills and experience to this role. My leadership of the Financial Management Association at CSULB has honed my ability to compile agenda packets, review applications, and provide student financial literacy workshops. I am committed to using the budget and resources efficiently and effectively with my knowledge of the parliamentary procedure, project management, and effective delegation make me a responsible steward of the student government's finances. I am dedicated to building positive relationships with students, faculty, staff, and administrators, and am passionate about promoting student development and financial literacy. I aim to serve as a servant-leader to the student community, promoting their interests and goals through efficient and effective financial management. I am eager to bring my experience and passion for these causes to this role.

How do you intend to use your position to create more awareness of funding opportunities for students?

I intend to communicate my ideas and accomplishments through the student government by being involved with campus-wide marketing and will facilitate events that raise awareness of the beach community's resources, with a focus on grants and scholarships. To ensure that my efforts align with the needs and desires of the student body, I will actively seek feedback through my classes and participation in student organizations and clubs. From my experience helping multiple start-ups prepare for market entry, I will utilize those skills to understand how and where to raise awareness effectively. To do this, I will have my team conduct a top-down analysis of all our resources and identify the big picture and all of its components so that we can fully understand where our assets have been allocated and where we can be allocated more effectively from here on out.

How do you intend to use your position to create more opportunities for students to get involved in student government?

I intend to communicate my ideas and accomplishments through the student government by being involved with campus-wide marketing and will facilitate events that raise awareness of the beach community's resources, with a focus on grants and scholarships. To ensure that my efforts align with the needs and desires of the student body, I will actively seek feedback through my classes and participation in student organizations and clubs. From my experience helping multiple start-ups prepare for market entry, I will utilize those skills to understand how and where to raise awareness effectively. To do this, I will have my team conduct a top-down analysis of all our resources and identify the big picture and all of its components so that we can fully understand where our assets have been allocated and where we can be allocated more effectively from here on out.

As Executive Vice President of Finance, you oversee the preparation of ASI's annual budget. What are some broad goals that you hope to achieve at the end of this process?

As a candidate, I aim to improve student support by thoroughly assessing funding allocation for campus-based clubs and organizations. I have observed exceptional leadership among our student leaders and aim to prioritize funding towards areas of the greatest significance. - I aim to streamline the transactions between student-led organizations and our students through faculty engagement. - I plan to support the SLD (Student and Life Development) office by understanding our faculty's processes and crucial bottlenecks so that we may ensure that events hosted by these organizations are well-executed and receive the necessary resources. - I have witnessed a lot of paperwork submitted to the SLD office. As leaders of the student organization, we need to help support our SLD office by coming up with a process that will alleviate pressure within the SLD office so that they may be focused in a more better-paced environment.

Hello Sharks, My Name is Jeremy Ramos and I'm currently a Liberal Studies Major and first generation student.

As a Transfer Student, I attended community college and started to get involved in Student Government, many other clubs, volunteer at food banks and make a difference to the campus and community. This Fall Semester, I got to serve in the USU Board Of Trustees as the Vice Chair and Chaired the Program Evaluations Committee where I focused on the events we had on Campus within the USU and SRWC. This semester, I have the honor to serve as the Board of Trustee Chair and take over the duties and assist my trustees within their committees. I also served a different role as I was the Commissoner of Wellness Affairs Spring of 2022 where I addressed any Mental Health needs on campus.

Platform:

My name is Jeremy Ramos, I am a senior and I am running again for USUBOT Trustee at Large. I am running for this postion because during my last year experience, I was able to connect with students about the project and listen to their needs. I want to utilize the need and take action within the role. I have served as Vice Chair during Fall and this Spring Semester I’m taking on the Chair Position

My goals within this position are to

• Provide More Food Options on Campus
• Comfortable Seating/Study Lounge Spaces
• Expand Wellness throughout Campus
• Expose Resources within USU and SRWC within Student Body and Students on campus
• Diverse Programs/Events within USU and SRWC.
• Continue to work on Future U Project

If Elected, what do you bring to this position that will help to promote growth in the students around you?

During the academic year, students were getting exposed to different diverse events and programs offered on campus. I want to provide more cultural events on campus, bring more needs to the Union: Dining Options, Seating Lounges, etc. As population is growing, I want students to be exposed to resources we have in ASI in classroom building, student organization meetings, etc.

The campus and ASI offer a multitude of programs and services for students that unfortunately most don't find out about until later in their college experience. How would you create more awareness of campus and ASI resources?

Attending Student Organizations Meeting and have a presentation to all students see all of the opportunities we have on Campus. I will also invite them to Board Meetings where they can address their comments in person as well. I will also contact them through social media since many people are on the Media: Instagram, Discord, etc.

Are there any services or programs in the University Student Union (USU) or Student Recreation and Wellness Center (SRWC) that need improvement or are not currently offered?

More Diverse Event on Campus, Better Lighting on campus (USU). For SRWC, I want to bring at least monthly or weekly activities they have in the Recreation Center and bring it to the Union. Same thing for USU, any event that is exposed there, I want to bring them to the Recreation Center. Students will be able to learn both buildings and be more exposed when it comes to where do they want to study, work out, etc.

I am Ojal Gangwal, an Information Systems major. Being an international student who recently came to the US, I experienced the challenges of adapting to a new culture, language, and academic environment. These challenges made me realize to advocate for myself and to have my voice heard. I joined ASI and with the help of my mentor Diamond Byrd, I was able to get elected to USUBOT position and then USUBOT Vice Chair. I believe that my experience of being international student will help me advocate for issues on campus. I am committed to creating a more supportive and inclusive environment for all students. I am running for USUBOT Trustee-at-large to continue my work in the USU and support its renovation.

I believe that students' voice is the best vehicle to drive any cause, as the goal is to create the best experience at CSU Long Beach for every student.

Platform:

If elected, I will continue working on the following to ensure that we have the resources and support we need to succeed.

• Organize regular open forums that encourage communication between the student body and the government in a democratic manner.
• Promoting cultural resource canters and listening to students' opinions.
• Increasing the visibility of the underrepresented committee on university search committees will help diversify leadership.
• By providing grocery shop gift cards through Beach Pantry, the food aid program may be expanded.
• To tackle food insecurity and housing insecurity, keep working together with Beach Pantry, Basic Needs, and Beauty2theStreetz.
• Promote more mental health resources on campus.
• Meeting with our lawmakers for money to upgrade campus infrastructure and the AC system.
• Broadening campus accessibility.
• Provide more fitness programs at lower cost in SRWC.
• More accessible parking places.

If Elected, what do you bring to this position that will help to promote growth in the students around you?

If we want to assist the students in their development, we must look into the underlying reasons for their anxieties. Promoting one's physical, mental, and emotional health is a necessary component of growth. I want to promote additional physical wellness programs at SRWC and ASI Beach Kitchen. I'll continue collaborating with Basic Needs to enhance their offerings for psychological and emotional health. Additional resources can help students advance, including more financial aid in the form of scholarships, engagement with students to develop cultural centers on campuses, and infrastructural improvements that better meet students' requirements.

The campus and ASI offer a multitude of programs and services for students that unfortunately most don't find out about until later in their college experience. How would you create more awareness of campus and ASI resources?

Here are some possible strategies to create more awareness of campus programs and services: * Organize on-campus activities that highlight the programs and services offered. To introduce students to new resources, a fair or expo where they may speak with representatives from other departments and organizations, for instance, would be a wonderful idea. *Use social media to advertise the programs and services offered on campus. This can entail establishing a social media campaign with specific hashtags, producing videos that emphasize certain resources, and producing focused adverts. *Offer orientation sessions or workshops for incoming students that highlight the various programs and services available on campus. This could include sessions on academic support resources, health and wellness services, and career development opportunities. *Give students who take use of various campus programs and services incentives or prizes. Students who attend a set number of tutoring sessions or campus activities.

Are there any services or programs in the University Student Union (USU) or Student Recreation and Wellness Center (SRWC) that need improvement or are not currently offered?

As the student population is increasing I would like to see more study spaces is the USU and I would like to see beach pantry expanded with more different vendors, collaborators and variety of food. Besides that more massage chairs in union because people forget to take care of themselves and their mental health.

Hello, my name is Ashwin Ganesh. I’m currently in my sophomore year majoring in Aerospace Engineering. I was raised in Sri Lanka and moved to Long Beach two years back. I currently serve as an Area Assistant in Hillside College. I was elected as a Trustee as Large in the USU Board of Trustees in January 2023. As part of my responsibilities, I serve as the Chairman of the Services Committee in USU and SRWC. In addition to this I was a member of Beach Team in fall 2022, engaging myself in volunteering at events organized by ASI.

Platform:

One of my main concerns about being a college student is managing finance. Financial maturity is something every single one of us has to go through during our lives and for many individuals it is during their time in college. ASI Beach Pantry has been a wonderful resource for many students to get groceries and easy cook items for free. My goal during my period of service is to introduce more items to the collection such as notes books and stationary, winter clothes etc. The reason why I bring up winter clothes is because it is a necessity for every individual and we all know how expensive they are, not many can afford them. The free thrift store, which was held in the USU a couple months ago is what opened my mind towards this, and I personally benefited a lot from this and so did many.

-Ashwin Ganesh

If Elected, what do you bring to this position that will help to promote growth in the students around you?

My goal during my period of service is to introduce more items to the collection such as notes books and stationary, winter clothes etc. The reason why I bring up winter clothes is because it is a necessity for every individual and we all know how expensive they are, not many can afford them. The free thrift store, which was held in the USU a couple months ago is what opened my mind towards this, and I personally benefited a lot from this and so did many.

The campus and ASI offer a multitude of programs and services for students that unfortunately most don't find out about until later in their college experience. How would you create more awareness of campus and ASI resources?

Promoting ASI events withing the Housing Department seems to be a good way of spreading the words across the student body. The reason why I mention the Housing Department is because, students who live on campus have a higher chance of attending ASI events since most of them are during the night times, and on- campus residents don't have to worry about transportation.

Are there any services or programs in the University Student Union (USU) or Student Recreation and Wellness Center (SRWC) that need improvement or are not currently offered?

Personally I think the SRWC and the USU are doing great with their existing services. I suggest they should have more dinning options on campus.

As a dedicated and driven individual, I am excited to bring my skills and experiences to the role of Trustee at Large. My time management and public speaking abilities, combined with my passion for serving the student body, make me a strong candidate for this position. I have a proven track record of success as a student leader, having served as the student body president in high school and as the current event chair of AESB. In addition, my experience with college union operations and my understanding of servant-leadership and stewardship will help me to effectively serve the students of LBSU. I am committed to working tirelessly to ensure the best interests of the student body are always at the forefront of all decisions made by the University Student Union Board of Trustees.

Platform

As a Trustee at Large for the University Student Union Board of Trustees (USUBOT), I am dedicated to serving the student body and ensuring that the facilities, services and programs of the University Student Union (USU) and Student Recreation and Wellness Center (SRWC) are of the highest quality. My key points of focus include:

• Promoting transparency in USU operations
• Encouraging student engagement in USU activities and services
• Reviewing and recommending improvements to USU and SRWC services and programs
• Advocating for the best interests of the student body in all Board decisions
• Building positive relationships with students, faculty, staff, and administrators
• Actively participating in USUBOT committees and ASI leadership training opportunities.

With my strong communication skills and commitment to servant leadership, I am confident in my ability to effectively represent the students and drive positive change as a Trustee at Large.

If Elected, what do you bring to this position that will help to promote growth in the students around you?

-Strong leadership skills, honed from serving as student body president in high school and event chair for AESB (Associate Engineering Student Body) - Extensive experience in organization and event planning through AES and other clubs -Passionate commitment to student success and creating opportunities for growth and development -Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with diverse groups of students and stakeholders -A creative, solution-oriented approach to problem-solving, backed by data-driven decision making -A proven track record of successfully advocating for student needs and desires -A willingness to listen to and consider all perspectives, and the ability to make fair and informed decisions -A deep understanding of the challenges facing students and the resources and support needed to overcome them.

The campus and ASI offer a multitude of programs and services for students that unfortunately most don't find out about until later in their college experience. How would you create more awareness of campus and ASI resources?

I plan to increase awareness of campus and ASI resources by: -Utilizing social media platforms to reach a wider audience and share information about events, programs and services. Partnering with student organizations to collaborate on events and workshops that showcase resources. -Holding regular info sessions during key moments in the academic year, such as orientation, mid-terms and finals. -Providing regular updates through email and other communication channels to students on the latest resources and services available. -Making it easier for students to access information by improving the ASI website and making it more user-friendly. -By implementing these strategies, I aim to make sure that students are aware of the resources and services available to them and can utilize them to their full potential.

Are there any services or programs in the University Student Union (USU) or Student Recreation and Wellness Center (SRWC) that need improvement or are not currently offered?

As a Trustee at Large, I aim to evaluate and improve USU and SRWC services/programs. I'II identify areas for improvement through regular visits and student feedback and bring concerns to the Board. My goal is to ensure the USU and SRWC continue to evolve and meet changing student needs. One example is the addition of a VR room in the SRWC, which would provide students with a unique, exciting and active way to relax and interact. The USUBOT could explore partnering with tech companies to bring cutting-edge VR equipment to the SRWC, making this dream a reality for students.

Hi my name is Laura Camacho! I transferred from Golden West College. I am a fourth year student, majoring in Liberal Studies in pursuing my teaching credential. I am very passionate about teaching the next generation, as I was involved heavily at GWC. I was involved in student government as the vice president of public relations, led a task force that pushed for smoke free policies, and volunteered with Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society. I served as student chair for the election commission at student government. Since being at CSULB, I became involved in Bible study, since I believe it is necessary to be connected to your faith and yourself. I also attend and participate in current school events and activities on a regular basis. I am looking forward to continuing to improve making our campus a fun, safe, and happy environment for all cal state students.

Platform

• More charging stations for cars to promote sustainability and more options for students.
• A/C installations for older buildings such as Peterson Hall, Fine Arts, and many more.
• Extend food vendor hours during the weekends to help promote student participation
• Expand on CAPS and have longer therapy sessions for all students.
• Have a mix of casual and professional donation clothes center for students to receive a full outfit 2 to 3 times per semester. Students should also receive some beach bucks for donating.

If Elected, what do you bring to this position that will help to promote growth in the students around you?

I would try to be more connected with students because I realized that many students are not very aware of the resources CSULB has to offer since we are a commuter school. I would try to offer more events that are catered to the commuter students.

The campus and ASI offer a multitude of programs and services for students that unfortunately most don't find out about until later in their college experience. How would you create more awareness of campus and ASI resources?

I would try to plan out events around commuters and increase social media presence, since that is an easier way to reach out to students. Also, have informational workshops about making the most out of our experiences.

Are there any services or programs in the University Student Union (USU) or Student Recreation and Wellness Center (SRWC) that need improvement or are not currently offered?

I would like to have a clothing donation center as a permanent thing instead of a temporary event. The reason why is because I feel like we can give back to the students and that we can adequately prepare them for professional development and to make sure that they have adequate clothes to wear in a cost effective way.