A MESSAGE FROM ASI PRESIDENT MITALI JAIN

Hello, everyone! 

Here at Associated Students, Inc. (ASI), the pursuit of accessible education for all students is one of our top priorities. Here are a few initiatives of which I want you to be aware. 

• Books across the nation are being challenged, ultimately being restricted from students’ general access. Beach Shops has stepped forward to combat censorship. Available to all students both in our bookstore and online, you can now freely find a list of socially impactful literature and books that have been banned across the country. For more info about social justice oriented books, visit csulb.edu/beachshops.

• Long Beach State is preparing for the fall 2024 launch of a digital-first textbook program, similar to equitable access programs being implemented nationally. Optional for all students, this program will enable students to pay a flat fee per semester covering all course material expenses, including textbooks. Students will see significant cost savings, additional access to educational materials, and the convenience of having all content available to them in a digital-first format through Canvas. For more info about this program, visit csulb.edu/equitabletextbookaccess.

ASI has also been diligently providing programs, services and facilities to support students. I will be giving the State of the Associated Students address at the ASI Senate meeting on Dec. 6 to provide updates on ASI’s accomplishments and on-going goals.

As we enter the final weeks of the semester, I want to remind you all to take time for yourselves. Whether it’s through rest or connecting with fellow students at ASI’s events, you deserve a well-earned break. Just a few more weeks left and all our incredible work will pay off.

Go Beach! 

Mitali Jain 

ASI President 

The Judiciary met Nov. 6 to approve its agenda and minutes, review announcements, hear reports and discuss new business. There were no closing comments.

Action Items Summary:

• Judiciary Minutes, Meeting #3, Oct. 16 – PASSED
• Approval of the 2024 Elections Handbook – PASSED

To learn more about the Judiciary, click here.

PRESIDENT'S CABINET

Mondays - 2:30 p.m.

The President's Cabinet met Nov. 6 to approve its agenda and minutes, review announcements and discuss new business. There were no public comments and no closing comments.

Action Items Summary:

• Cabinet Minutes, Meeting #8, Oct. 23 – PASSED

To learn more about the President's Cabinet, click here.

The Business & Finance Committee (BFC) met Nov. 7 to approve its agenda and minutes, review the Status of Funds Summary, listen to member reports and grant applications. There were no closing comments.

Action Items Summary:

• Business and Finance Committee Minutes, Meeting #10, Oct. 17 – PASSED
• Daniela Gonzalez – A Collaborative Redesign of Academic Resources – PASSED
• Elias Pumul – Insights into Muslim Representation in American Shows and Movies – PASSED
• Simon Galleta - Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists – PASSED
• Elias Pumul – 2023 American Anthropological Assn (AAA)/Canadian Anthropology Society Annual (CASCA) Meeting – PASSED
• Bryant Lopez, Haley Obenshain - 2024 Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (SICB) Annual Meeting – PASSED

Reports:

• Alvin Tu, ASI Vice President of Finance – Scheduled the next Financial Empowerment Workshop – Savings.
• ASI Senate Representatives – Nguyen confirmed two associate justices, and received reports from Athletics and Parking and Transportation.
• CSULB Representatives - Randig announced that the travel policy was nearing completion at the Chancellor's Office. They will be putting together a training on how to use per diem. Correa shared 95% of faculty approved of a possible strike, and there was a rally scheduled.
• Dr. Miles Nevin, ASI Executive Director – Announced that Nov. 22 would be a corporate holiday for ASI and Beach Shops.

To learn more about the Business & Finance Committee, click here.

LOBBY CORPS

Thursdays - 3:30 p.m.



Lobby Corps met Nov. 9 to approve the agenda and minutes, listen to member reports and discuss new and unfinished business. Closing comments were heard from Regina, Adams and the Board.

Action Items Summary:

• Lobby Corps Minutes, Meeting #8, Nov. 2 – PASSED

Reports:

• ASI Chief Government Relations Officer – Attended the California State Student Association (CSSA)’s November Plenary Meeting, the Veteran’s Day Celebration and received CIVIC engagement points due to attendance of Senator Tom Umberg. Submitted a written comment in support California General Education Transfer Curriculum (Cal-GETC).
• ASI Lobby Corps Vice Chair – None.
• ASI Lobby Corps Representative At-Large – Achacon attended the University Resource Council meeting.
• ASI Senate – Melendrez stated Senate passed SR #2024-06 Reaffirming Support for the Philippine Human Rights Act (PHRA). Majidi announced the Commissioner for Veterans Affairs informed the board of location change of the Veteran’s Center, reviewed information items from Housing and provided updates on the execution of SR #2024-04 100 Classes in 100 Days.
• CSULB Associate Vice President University Relations' Designee – None.

To learn more about the Lobby Corps, click here.

USU & SRWC BOARD OF TRUSTEES (URECBOT)

First Friday of the Month - 1 p.m.



The USU & SRWC Board of Trustees (URECBOT) did not meet last week. An update will be given after its next meeting.

To learn more about the URECBOT, click here.

IN THE SENATE, NOV. 8

Wednesdays - 3:30 p.m.

The Senate met Nov. 8 to approve its agenda, hear announcements from the chair, approve minutes, hear member reports, discuss new business including executive and legislative business. Closing comments were heard from Majidi, Pearson and Toscano.

Action Items Summary:

• Senate Minutes, Meeting #13, Nov. 1 – PASSED
• University Student Union and Student Recreation and Wellness Center, Board of Trustees (URECBOT), Meeting #5, Oct. 6 – PASSED
• SR #2024-06 Reaffirming Support for the Philippine Human Rights Act (PHRA) (3rd Reading) – PASSED
• PA # 2024-23 Confirmation of ASI Chief Diversity Officer, Payton Belle – PASSED
• Updated 2023-24 Senate Working Rules – PASSED

Reports:

• Mitali Jain, ASI President – Attended CSSA and discussed barriers for students graduating within four years. Lead discussion with Southern California campuses on anticipated issues and how CSSA can provide support.
• Elisa Arquieta, Commissioner Pregnant and Parenting Students – Provided updates on work completed, goals for next two weeks, and Did You Know this About my Community information.
• Charlie Sotto, Commissioner Veterans Affairs – Provided updates on work completed, goals for next two weeks, and Did You Know this About my Community information.
• Alvin Tu, ASI Vice President of Finance – None.
• Anthony Regina, ASI Chief Government Relations Officer – Provided updates on work completed, goals for next two weeks, upcoming events, and Did You Know this about my Community information.
• Corry Colonna, Housing and Residential Life Executive Director – Provided a presentation that highlighted benefits of housing, demand versus capacity, housing waitlist trends, how they prioritize housing, resources, how they can create more housing for students, the new La Playa Hall dorms that are being built, and updates on current housing.
• ASI At-Large Senator Reports – Provided updates on work completed, goals for next two weeks, and Did You Know this About my Community information.
• Dr. Miles Nevin, ASI Executive Director – Announced Nino’s interim replacement has been identified and Nov. 22 would now be a corporate holiday. Informed they met with faculty in Natural Science and Mathematics about the Equitable Textbook Access program and the project team attended a conference on textbook affordability.
• Dr. Trace Camacho, CSULB President's Designee – None.
• Joe Nino, ASI Assistant Director, Government Affairs and Initiatives – Reminded the board since it is getting closer to the end of the semester to focus on course work. Thanked ASI Night Walk participants and shared the collected data will be sent to Beach Building Services. Informed the board that Melendrez will be reaching out to senators to mentor a Beach Team member.

To learn more about the Senate, click here.

TODAY'S SENATE AGENDA, NOV. 15

Wednesdays - 3:30 p.m.

Action Items Summary:

• Senate Minutes, Meeting #14, Nov. 8
• Business and Finance Committee (BFC) Minutes, Meeting #11, Oct. 24
• SR #2024-07 Title Change of the Chief Government Relations Officer (3rd Reading)
• Resolution on Continued Funding for California State Preschool Program

Reports:

• Mitali Jain, ASI President
• Alvin Tu, ASI Vice President of Finance
• Allison Tan, Commissioner Wellness Affairs
• Priya Mishra, Commissioner Women & Gender Equity Affairs
• Alec Colchico, Isabel Patterson Child Development Center
• ASI College Senator Reports
• Dr. Miles Nevin, ASI Executive Director
• CSULB President’s Designee
• Joe Nino, ASI Assistant Director, Government Affairs and Initiatives

To learn more about the Senate, click here.