As a current Senator for the College of Business Administration representing about 4,000 students, I have not only continuously worked to advocate for the constituents I represent, I have also provided the basis for accurate representation through increased communication. By taking my senate position beyond the norm in ways such as revamping the way my constituents could actively get involved with decisions made in the Senate — through polls and by having weekly presentation updates — I was able to articulate the passion that I had for students and our university. This passion fueled my inspiration to run for student government in the first place. I have served on numerous committees within Associated Students Inc. this year alone — committees such as the Bylaws Committee, Sustain-U Committee and the Rules and Administration Committee. However, titles don’t mean anything if there are no results to show why they matter.
Why would it matter if I served as the pro-tempore for the board of control and the chair of the Rules and Administration Committee if there was nothing to show for it other than my name on a placard? What do those titles mean anyway? Titles are but a name.
Instead of molding a candidate to fit the title, mold the title to fit the vision of the candidate. Every candidate can talk about how they wish to change the world of Cal State Long Beach. They can talk about advocacy, accountability, clearer representation, shared governance, sustainability and so on. I’m reaching for something higher, something less tangible and harder to explain, but is crucial to the continued success of our shared vision.
Despite popular belief, I am also a human who has to also eat, sleep and breathe. What I have to offer is not only a detailed plan on what I want to accomplish, but the ability to inspire and empower others to share in the vision that makes CSULB uniquely ours.
What makes the position of ASI vice president unique is that not only do they “assume the office of [Academic Senate] president upon the incapacitation, resignation or withdrawal from the university by the A.S. president,” but also that the ASI vice president takes upon the combined role of legislator, advocate and a diplomat.
By chairing the senate, the vice president works with a body composed of multiple personalities and interests. It would be my duty to oversee that the decisions reached by the senate are done in a diplomatic manner.
Outside of the Senate Chambers, the vice president is also required to attend a number of meetings. These include: the board of control, whose primary duty is to allocate funding to students and student organizations; the 49er Shops board of directors, which manages the bookstore and food services such as the Nugget; and A.S. which puts forth policies that affect the academics of this university.
Today is the last day to vote online through the e-mail registered on MyCSULB. It will only take five minutes to make your voice heard. Make the right decision and vote for the team that will revolutionize student advocacy, reinforce the meaning of Beach Pride and restructure the way ASI government looks at public relations. Vote for James Ahumada for ASI president, Lucy Nguyen for ASI vice president and Jameson Nyeholt for ASI treasurer. Please check out our full platforms at: www.VOTEJLJ2010.org. Thank you for your interest. Take care and Go Beach!
Lucy Nguyen is a sophomore business marketing and political science double major and is currently running for ASI vice president.
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