Spring Break
ASI issues '08-09 strategic plan
Student Relations Commitee reactivated as part of new plan
Benjamin R. Schilter
Issue date: 9/24/08 Section: News
Associated Students, Inc. reestablished the Student Relations Committee during their first formal board meeting on Sept. 17.
Restarting the committee comes one month after the student government first laid out its strategic plan during its board retreat in mid-August. Approving the ASI strategic plan for the 2008-09 school year and investigating a University Apparel Exchange Program were two goals included in the yearlong objective of Sacramento State's student government.
ASI Executive Vice President Roberto Torres and Director of Arts and Letters Andres Perez will head the Student Relations Committee and plan to have its first meeting by Friday. The committee hopes to send out surveys to the student population specifically aimed at finding out what students think would make their experiences at Sac State better.
The first task of the committee is to decide on the overall goals. Then, Torres and Perez will ascertain what topics would be covered by a planned campus-wide survey. The committee will determine the number of students to survey and the types of questions to include by holding focus groups. Perez and Torres hope to start distributing a survey by mid-semester.
"As far as how this all relates to the strategic plan, I believe it relates in every way possible," Perez said. "The committee will make giant leaps in just telling students about ASI and all that it includes and making them more aware of what's available to them."
Perez added that each point of the plan could be better carried out if they knew their fellow students' opinions on them. He said, "How do they want this task completed?", "Is this task more important to students and therefore should it be completed sooner?" and "Do students still think this point is a pressing need?" would all be questions that the Student Relations Committee will help answer.
"That's why the Student Relations Committee is important." He said. "I don't want students to think ASI is full of a bunch of suits who are out of touch. We are just a small group of students wanting to help other students. So let's talk!"
At the Office of Governmental Affairs' Political Mixer on Sept. 17, Torres spoke with students who, he later said, had no idea that ASI provides healthcare, dental insurance, or even childcare. He said it was a wonderful opportunity to address their concerns and discuss what ASI can do to help.
"Overall, I was very pleased to talk to the students and explain the efforts ASI is engaged with to ensure that our students are represented in all levels of government, as well as on campus," Torres said.
As the semester moves on, ASI will reevaluate the strategic plan to ensure progress is being made on as many fronts as possible. Cervantes said this would involve creating working groups to investigate each of the five areas of the plan for improvement.
"The strategic plan serves as a guide for the board for the year to come," said ASI President Miguel Cervantes upon passage of the plan. "Our priorities that lie within will be our main focus and that's what we are going to dedicate our time and effort."
Other goals outlined in the plan include enhancing campus-wide collaboration with other organizations such as the Community Engagement Center and Student Activities. The board will work to further integrate ASI with the campus community so students remain informed about their student government. One objective under this goal is to organize joint councils for each of Sac State's seven colleges. Another part of the plan is to expand the school's green movement by promoting an environmentally friendly and sustainable campus. ASI plans to partner with University Recycling to get more recycling bins on campus. The student government encourages students to increase use of alternative transportation, such as taking the bus, riding bicycles, or carpooling.
"The statements that are included in the strategic plan are areas that we want to address and specify a specific action. We will be researching the possibilities and, if feasible to ASI in terms of costs and conditions, we will pursue this goal," Cervantes said.
Additionally, by increasing participation in local, state and federal organizations, ASI hopes to get students to participate in community activities and increase student representation. ASI's plan calls for coordinating and sponsoring events, such as Constitution Week, and activities that promote civic engagement, including voter registration drives.
"As we move through the year, our efforts will be in support of our strategic plan," Cervantes said.
Ben Schilter can be reached at bschilter@statehornet.com
Restarting the committee comes one month after the student government first laid out its strategic plan during its board retreat in mid-August. Approving the ASI strategic plan for the 2008-09 school year and investigating a University Apparel Exchange Program were two goals included in the yearlong objective of Sacramento State's student government.
ASI Executive Vice President Roberto Torres and Director of Arts and Letters Andres Perez will head the Student Relations Committee and plan to have its first meeting by Friday. The committee hopes to send out surveys to the student population specifically aimed at finding out what students think would make their experiences at Sac State better.
The first task of the committee is to decide on the overall goals. Then, Torres and Perez will ascertain what topics would be covered by a planned campus-wide survey. The committee will determine the number of students to survey and the types of questions to include by holding focus groups. Perez and Torres hope to start distributing a survey by mid-semester.
"As far as how this all relates to the strategic plan, I believe it relates in every way possible," Perez said. "The committee will make giant leaps in just telling students about ASI and all that it includes and making them more aware of what's available to them."
Perez added that each point of the plan could be better carried out if they knew their fellow students' opinions on them. He said, "How do they want this task completed?", "Is this task more important to students and therefore should it be completed sooner?" and "Do students still think this point is a pressing need?" would all be questions that the Student Relations Committee will help answer.
"That's why the Student Relations Committee is important." He said. "I don't want students to think ASI is full of a bunch of suits who are out of touch. We are just a small group of students wanting to help other students. So let's talk!"
At the Office of Governmental Affairs' Political Mixer on Sept. 17, Torres spoke with students who, he later said, had no idea that ASI provides healthcare, dental insurance, or even childcare. He said it was a wonderful opportunity to address their concerns and discuss what ASI can do to help.
"Overall, I was very pleased to talk to the students and explain the efforts ASI is engaged with to ensure that our students are represented in all levels of government, as well as on campus," Torres said.
As the semester moves on, ASI will reevaluate the strategic plan to ensure progress is being made on as many fronts as possible. Cervantes said this would involve creating working groups to investigate each of the five areas of the plan for improvement.
"The strategic plan serves as a guide for the board for the year to come," said ASI President Miguel Cervantes upon passage of the plan. "Our priorities that lie within will be our main focus and that's what we are going to dedicate our time and effort."
Other goals outlined in the plan include enhancing campus-wide collaboration with other organizations such as the Community Engagement Center and Student Activities. The board will work to further integrate ASI with the campus community so students remain informed about their student government. One objective under this goal is to organize joint councils for each of Sac State's seven colleges. Another part of the plan is to expand the school's green movement by promoting an environmentally friendly and sustainable campus. ASI plans to partner with University Recycling to get more recycling bins on campus. The student government encourages students to increase use of alternative transportation, such as taking the bus, riding bicycles, or carpooling.
"The statements that are included in the strategic plan are areas that we want to address and specify a specific action. We will be researching the possibilities and, if feasible to ASI in terms of costs and conditions, we will pursue this goal," Cervantes said.
Additionally, by increasing participation in local, state and federal organizations, ASI hopes to get students to participate in community activities and increase student representation. ASI's plan calls for coordinating and sponsoring events, such as Constitution Week, and activities that promote civic engagement, including voter registration drives.
"As we move through the year, our efforts will be in support of our strategic plan," Cervantes said.
Ben Schilter can be reached at bschilter@statehornet.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Frank Loret de Mola
posted 9/27/08 @ 7:27 PM PST
Note: Last year, it took more than a semester to get the strategic plan out. It took this crew three weeks? That's good work, Miguel and company. Nice job!
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