Associated Students Inc. (ASI) held their Candidate Meet and Greet at the University-Student Union (U-SU) plaza from 2-4pm on March 13. The event provided students the opportunity to meet and chat with the ASI presidential candidates for the academic 2019-2020 school year. Students were also able to meet those who are running for the U-SU Board of Directors. The meet and greet is the beginning of a series of events leading to Election Day on March 26-27.
This year, ASI has two candidates running for presidential office. Candidates Aaron Castaneda and Prince Sesay greeted spectators in the plaza as they spoke about their platform and goals for the university. Both candidates have a distinct vision that they would like to bring to the table for the upcoming academic year.
Castaneda currently serves as the vice president for finance for ASI. His current duties include budgeting student fees and releasing that information to the student body. In addition, he also sits in the executive, personnel and strategic committees.
According to Castaneda, his platform as president is transparency towards students. Castaneda aspires to keep all students updated with issues that impact the university.
Aside from his duties as the VP for finance, Castaneda is also involved as an active
member in the Financial Management Association and Hispanic Business Society on campus. After he completes his degree in finance, Castaneda hopes to continue his education in receiving his MBA.
Prince Sesay is involved with many humanitarian organizations both on and off campus. One of the organizations he is a member of is the Cal State LA’s Social Workers Student Union.
At the meet and greet, Sesay stated that his platform is to inject new ideas for the university to help students. According to Sesay, he decided to run for office after having conversations with students on the train who are part of the Office for Students with Disabilities. These conversations were in regard to the difficulties that they face such as receiving textbooks on time and having accessibility from the train station to campus.
Sesay also hopes to create an environment where student concerns are addressed in a timely manner. After graduating from Cal State LA with his degree in social work, he hopes to earn his master’s in social work and eventually open a Boys and Girls Club Sierra Leone in his home country of West Africa.
Prior to the general voting on March 26-27, ASI will have their Presidential Debate/Q&A event on Wednesday, March 20 at 5 p.m. at the U-SU theater.
Election results will be announced on March 28 at 4 p.m. at the U-SU plaza for students to interact with the newly elected 2019-2020 ASI Administration and Board of Directors.
