Spring Break
Full steam ahead
ASI executive says semester has been spent "brainstorming," but hopes to produce more visible results next semester.
Andres Perez
Issue date: 11/28/07 Section: News
Across the Sacramento State campus, there are several 4 feet by 8 feet signs that advertise everything from Peak Adventures to University Union concerts.
Recently, signs were added that wish students a "happy holiday" and encourage voter registration.
These signs belong to Associated Students Inc.
The signs are part of ASI's 2007-08 Strategic Plan, which includes a list of goals for the year and consists of five main points: increasing ASI's public image, promoting an environmentally friendly campus, promoting a welcoming environment for community, promoting a safer campus and promoting ASI advancement.
With the fall semester almost over, ASI President Christina Romero said the board of director's 2007-08 strategic plan is not even halfway done.
"I wouldn't rate it like that (though)...our strategic plan is not a short-term plan," she said. "To have any kind of goal that's in depth...it has to be long-term...that's what we created."
Romero said the semester has been spent "brainstorming and planning" and hasn't produced many visible results, a statement with which other ASI directors agree.
"I think we've laid the groundwork...now it's a matter of moving forward," said Graduate Director Jensen Kile.
"A strategic plan takes time and we're on the right track," said Secretary of State Affairs Roberto Torres.
Senior English major Calvin Culp said he doesn't think ASI is doing its best.
"They're doing the minimum," Culp said. "I don't see them going above and beyond."
Romero said ASI directors have been working specifically with one of the five strategic goals.
Kile said he is currently working on the strategic goal of "increasing ASI visibility and transparency," as are Director of Education Jessica Dooley and Vice President of Finance Tim Snyder.
Kile said his task force has narrowed its goal down to more specific projects which include creating an ASI website task force. He said the task force would work on making
ASI's website more user- friendly. Kile said he believes a better website will encourage students to visit and be more aware of ASI updates.
Kile said although the task force was created on Oct. 17, it has yet to have its first meeting. He said it is still in the process of organizing schedules and contact information.
Senior nursing major Grizelda Garcia said she doesn't believe ASI is producing enough visible results.
"Maybe they do a lot for (other) students," Garcia said. "I pay (for ASI) and I don't get anything."
Currently, Sac State students pay $125.50 in ASI student fees each semester. Approximately half of the fees go toward Sac State athletics, with remaining funds going toward areas such as compensation for board directors and ASI sponsored events.
Romero said one thing ASI did accomplish this semester was the creation and introduction of a new event called "Coffee and Conversation," during which students had the opportunity to meet their ASI representatives.
The event took place in mid-October inside the University Union and offered students free coffee and pastries.
Garcia said she feels students have to spend most of their time in the Union in order to see the fruits of ASI's labor.
Romero said she hopes to have more events in the quad.
"We've done a number of things already but there's a lot of things we want to do," Romero said. "We want to have a political day in the quad where we invite all the political clubs."
Culp said he doesn't see ASI very often.
"I'd like to think they're working behind the scenes," Culp said.
Romero said other ASI goals that do not include "visibility" have been touched upon as well.
Romero said she was proud of ASI's move to "paperless," which falls under ASI's goal of making Sac State a "sustainable campus."
"Instead of just talking the talk, we've really walked the walk in terms of switching out to paperless," Romero said. "We've saved paper in (all ASI programs), not just the government office."
Romero said ASI members are currently discussing purchasing an electronic message board that would display ASI announcements, hosting an end-of-the-year event for alumni and students, extended night hours for Sac State's shuttle service, increased lighting
around campus and finding a new location for the ASI offices. Romero said the ASI offices in the Union are cramped and "to capacity."
Graduate student Pamela Mitchell said she believes ASI has done a good job this semester. Mitchell said safety on campus is very important to her.
Romero said although these ideas have yet to be accomplished, she expects all of the strategic goals to be completed or started by the end of the spring semester.
"I believe the footwork will be there and we'll be able to have a legacy with what we started," Romero said.
Executive Director of ASI Pat Worley said ASI is not technically required to have strategic plan goals completed by the end of the semester.
"Strategic planning is about projecting goals and actions to the best of your knowledge and ability," Worley said in an e-mail interview. "There is never a guarantee that things will transpire as you hope and plan."
Worley said ASI is completing its strategic plan in a "traditional manner."
Worley said the traditional way includes a complex process of "reviewing, evaluating and fine tuning" each of the strategic goals.
"The product is only as good as the planning," Worley said.
Garcia said she doesn't believe ASI will finish its strategic plan by the end of the spring semester.
"It would be great if they actually did do it but I don't think they will," Garcia said.
Andres Perez can be reached at aperez@statehornet.com.
Recently, signs were added that wish students a "happy holiday" and encourage voter registration.
These signs belong to Associated Students Inc.
The signs are part of ASI's 2007-08 Strategic Plan, which includes a list of goals for the year and consists of five main points: increasing ASI's public image, promoting an environmentally friendly campus, promoting a welcoming environment for community, promoting a safer campus and promoting ASI advancement.
With the fall semester almost over, ASI President Christina Romero said the board of director's 2007-08 strategic plan is not even halfway done.
"I wouldn't rate it like that (though)...our strategic plan is not a short-term plan," she said. "To have any kind of goal that's in depth...it has to be long-term...that's what we created."
Romero said the semester has been spent "brainstorming and planning" and hasn't produced many visible results, a statement with which other ASI directors agree.
"I think we've laid the groundwork...now it's a matter of moving forward," said Graduate Director Jensen Kile.
"A strategic plan takes time and we're on the right track," said Secretary of State Affairs Roberto Torres.
Senior English major Calvin Culp said he doesn't think ASI is doing its best.
"They're doing the minimum," Culp said. "I don't see them going above and beyond."
Romero said ASI directors have been working specifically with one of the five strategic goals.
Kile said he is currently working on the strategic goal of "increasing ASI visibility and transparency," as are Director of Education Jessica Dooley and Vice President of Finance Tim Snyder.
Kile said his task force has narrowed its goal down to more specific projects which include creating an ASI website task force. He said the task force would work on making
ASI's website more user- friendly. Kile said he believes a better website will encourage students to visit and be more aware of ASI updates.
Kile said although the task force was created on Oct. 17, it has yet to have its first meeting. He said it is still in the process of organizing schedules and contact information.
Senior nursing major Grizelda Garcia said she doesn't believe ASI is producing enough visible results.
"Maybe they do a lot for (other) students," Garcia said. "I pay (for ASI) and I don't get anything."
Currently, Sac State students pay $125.50 in ASI student fees each semester. Approximately half of the fees go toward Sac State athletics, with remaining funds going toward areas such as compensation for board directors and ASI sponsored events.
Romero said one thing ASI did accomplish this semester was the creation and introduction of a new event called "Coffee and Conversation," during which students had the opportunity to meet their ASI representatives.
The event took place in mid-October inside the University Union and offered students free coffee and pastries.
Garcia said she feels students have to spend most of their time in the Union in order to see the fruits of ASI's labor.
Romero said she hopes to have more events in the quad.
"We've done a number of things already but there's a lot of things we want to do," Romero said. "We want to have a political day in the quad where we invite all the political clubs."
Culp said he doesn't see ASI very often.
"I'd like to think they're working behind the scenes," Culp said.
Romero said other ASI goals that do not include "visibility" have been touched upon as well.
Romero said she was proud of ASI's move to "paperless," which falls under ASI's goal of making Sac State a "sustainable campus."
"Instead of just talking the talk, we've really walked the walk in terms of switching out to paperless," Romero said. "We've saved paper in (all ASI programs), not just the government office."
Romero said ASI members are currently discussing purchasing an electronic message board that would display ASI announcements, hosting an end-of-the-year event for alumni and students, extended night hours for Sac State's shuttle service, increased lighting
around campus and finding a new location for the ASI offices. Romero said the ASI offices in the Union are cramped and "to capacity."
Graduate student Pamela Mitchell said she believes ASI has done a good job this semester. Mitchell said safety on campus is very important to her.
Romero said although these ideas have yet to be accomplished, she expects all of the strategic goals to be completed or started by the end of the spring semester.
"I believe the footwork will be there and we'll be able to have a legacy with what we started," Romero said.
Executive Director of ASI Pat Worley said ASI is not technically required to have strategic plan goals completed by the end of the semester.
"Strategic planning is about projecting goals and actions to the best of your knowledge and ability," Worley said in an e-mail interview. "There is never a guarantee that things will transpire as you hope and plan."
Worley said ASI is completing its strategic plan in a "traditional manner."
Worley said the traditional way includes a complex process of "reviewing, evaluating and fine tuning" each of the strategic goals.
"The product is only as good as the planning," Worley said.
Garcia said she doesn't believe ASI will finish its strategic plan by the end of the spring semester.
"It would be great if they actually did do it but I don't think they will," Garcia said.
Andres Perez can be reached at aperez@statehornet.com.
Be the first to comment on this story