ASI President and Vice President commence their semester plans

Elected at the end of a difficult year, the president and vice president of Associated Students Inc. (ASI) has a hefty to-do list for the semester as well as yearlong projects to put in motion.

President, Bridgette Dussan identified several goals for the semester, including increasing school spirit by encouraging the campus community to wear apparel that promotes Sonoma State as well as supporting athletic teams at their games.  

"If we want students to take pride in their education, we need to show them that its leaders take pride in Sonoma State University," said Dussan at Convocation on Monday, Aug. 23.

Another project Dussan is undertaking is to register students to vote.

"One of the goals which ASI and the campus can work together on is voter registration and mobilization," said Dussan in her Convocation speech. "ASI is committed to register 800-1,000 students to vote."

But one of her biggest efforts will be to market ASI as a tool for students, not just another office in the student union.

"The administration has an idea of what we provide, but the students don't," said Dussan. The ASI umbrella encompasses several campus organizations that provide services and programs for SSU, such as Associated Student Productions (ASP) and Join Us Making Progrss (JUMP), as well as the children's school and student government.  

This goal exists hand in hand with Dussan's goal to see work begin on the University Center. The building is expected to contain diverse dining venues, the campus bookstore and enough space for students to hang out or to meet with clubs and organizations.  

"With its location next to the rec. center, this could help to congregate students to the center of campus," said Dussan. "Right now, people only use the student union for work or an occasional meeting."

Plans exist for the center, but there is not yet enough money allocated to build it. Dussan plans to propose a fee referendum asking students to vote on their willingness to pay for the center through an increase in student fees.

A similar referendum was approved by students years ago to cover the cost of building the recreation center. It is currently the only building on campus that is maintained by student fees alone.

Dussan's main challenge for the semester will be to keep track of all the various aspects of her job.