By Allison Larrimore, Oct. 22, 2024
Cal Poly Pomona’s Associated Students, Inc. revealed its 2024-2025 action plan in an email sent to all active students Oct. 7, covering how it intends to support and improve student life on campus.
The plan focuses on three pillars of ASI’s vision for CPP’s student experience: financial support and accountability, diversity, equity and inclusion and education and awareness. ASI President Cade Wheeler and Vice President Megan Shadrick based their campaign around these virtues to help all students feel supported in every aspect.
“We had so much we want to accomplish this year, so trying to get one big goal was definitely a challenge,” said Shadrick. “I hope that more students become aware of what student government is and what it can do for them, but I also hope that we build a stronger foundation within ASI.”
Financial support and accountability seem to be the biggest concern for Wheeler and Shadrick as both mentioned past difficulties with such services. According to Wheeler, students are more prone to stress and financial hardship with the recent tuition increase in the California State University system, and this pillar is meant to be emblematic of understanding students’ struggles and providing easier access to programs to help them.
With diversity, equity and inclusion, Wheeler and Shadrick want to make sure everyone on campus is represented and treated fairly in ASI spaces as well as spread awareness for issues they may face.
As for education and awareness, they are committed to bridging the gap between students and the people who work for their success, such as student government and university departments.
“I really want to make sure that my administration is working well with the different media departments on campus to know that we’re spreading good awareness,” said Wheeler. “We want to make sure that (The Poly Post is) reporting about what’s going on in our meetings, so the students are knowledgeable about how their student government is operating and serving them every single day.”
While there is no specific timeline for the changes the plan proposes, Wheeler guarantees they will at least be moving forward by the end of his term in spring 2025.
“It’s very dependent on each individual action because I’ve been having meetings, especially with our financial goals,” said Wheeler. “I have to make sure that I’m using pragmatism to inform my decision-making about what we’re going to be looking into.”
In the email sent Oct. 7, Wheeler welcomed student feedback about the action plan and how ASI can improve its efforts to serve the campus community.
Richard Corvera, a computer science student who worked in ASI’s marketing department from 2022 to 2024, believes they should prioritize familiarity and openness with students.
“I’ve seen so-called ‘cover ups’ for student government for the past two presidents in my time,” said Corvera. “ASI could start rebuilding trust by, No. 1, being transparent when people are at fault.”
According to Corvera, former ASI President Aliza Ortega suddenly resigned from her position in February 2023 and all social media content featuring her was removed immediately. There was no reason nor mention of the resignation stated publicly, despite allegations of being involved in a drunk fight at an off-campus student government event; her email sent to members of ASI only cited a personal emergency.
In May, former ASI Vice President Naman Pandadiya resigned shortly before a vote for his removal following allegations of misconduct, failure to perform his duties and misuse of funds as a student government representative.
“ASI needs to start showing through actions instead of words,” said Corvera, critical of the lack of clear communication. “As far as the allegations of abuse of finances from our most recent vice president, everything should be addressed and brought forward. I should not be finding out about things from Reddit.”
Feature image courtesy of Allison Larrimore