All four Associated Students Inc. presidential candidates presented their campaign platforms to a Chicano-Latino studies introductory class Monday.
Professor Armando Vasquez-Ramos invited the candidates to the College of Business Administration building so that his students could “benefit by being more informed and will hopefully increase the voter turnout.”
Vazquez-Ramos asked the candidates to discuss their positions on the Beach Legacy Fee, the $95 dollar fee the athletics department proposed and students voted against last month in an online referendum.
Preciado said that even though the BLF was opposed by the majority of students voting in the referendum, the fee is still being pushed, and that it is important for students to be aware of any type of fee increase.
“That’s how people lose faith in school affairs,” Preciado said.
Chris Chavez said that “students have spoken up and said ‘no’ to this particular fee increase.”
Avis Atkins vowed to fight against the fee increase and informed the class that some professors gave extra credit to students who voted for the BLF.
During a Q-and-A session between the candidates and students, the candidates were asked what they would do for students who focus more on academics than the social side of Cal State Long Beach. All of the candidates stressed the importance of academic advising.
Preciado said he is pushing for a textbook exchange program in which students would be able to buy and sell old textbooks through the ASI website.
Other Cal State schools have something similar to this program.
During the Q-and-A session, Vazquez-Ramos voiced his concerns about Executive Order 665, which requires students to take remedial courses for entry-level mathematics and English until passed unless they were exempt upon enrollment.
According to Vazquez-Ramos, this is “criminal because it affects those students who have already been admitted to CSULB.”
He asked the candidates their stance on the issue.
Atkins said there are programs at CSULB that help students with remedial courses, such as the Beach Learning Community. The program Operation Return to The Beach helps CSULB students who have been academically disqualified for not passing the remedial courses within one year.
Beata Lebovic, a senior psychology major, said she was going to vote immediately after the debate.
“I think ASI is important and I never realized we have such a voice,” Lebovic said. “I will vote for Chris Chavez because he knows the issues well and he already is such an active member with ASI.”
David Rodriguez, a senior sociology major, said he is going to vote but believes “ASI elections are important only if ASI is effective.” Rodriguez said he was going to vote for either Atkins or Preciado.
“I liked Avis’ outlook, but I also liked Raul’s presentation,” Rodriguez said.
Some students are not sure if they will participate in the vote.
“I’m hoping I find time to vote,” said Melanie Espinoza, a sophomore social work major. “I think ASI elections are important only if people vote.”
At the end of the class, the candidates had one minute to recap why they should be elected the next ASI president.
Atkins said she is service-oriented and created a platform for the students.
Linarez said he believes voting for him is “an opportunity to represent the students,” and that he aims to save money for students.
Chavez said he has a plan that will help students and that he believes students are the “best asset to the campus.”
Preciado said he is “out to help students that are not already involved in ASI.”
“We will try to bring you into ASI,” Preciado said. “We want a reason for you to come to us.”
Related Links:
ASI presidential candidates discuss their backgrounds and plans for CSULB on the 49er Show (Podcast)
ASI presidential candidates talk tactics
Beach News interviewed the ASI presidential candidates last week. Watch the video here.
This update verision of the article was published at 10:02 p.m. on April 13