Jose Salazar, president of Associated Students Inc., reflected Wednesday on student government’s success in establishing better campus environmental sustainability and government transparency over the past year.
There will be solar panels installed over parking lot 14 this summer – the power generated will cover 15 percent of the university’s energy needs.
Long Beach has plans to create 50 bike share sheds, for which the city received a grant last year, Salazar said. These stations will stock bicycles that people can borrow and be returned to any other bike share sheds. Salazar will negotiate for two sheds on campus.
“That my friends, is how progress looks,” said Salazar of these efforts toward greater sustainability.
Salazar also praised the ASI board for the Town Hall meetings where students put forward their perspectives.
It was Salazar’s second State of ASI address as president.
The decision to change ASI compensation from a wage into a scholarship will come before the Senate soon, said Salazar. The Board of Control has passed their formal recommendation on the Executive Compensation Policy to this effect.
The change will allow undocumented students to receive compensation for their ASI work, but will count against student aid limits for those who are receiving maximum aid.
Gabriel O. Avila was formally confirmed ASI chief of staff. The position was previously empty.