Key topics discussed during last Thursday’s Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) Board of Directors meeting included increasing student engagement in career fairs, expanding basic needs support, and updates on student financial assistance programs.

Michelle Lovasz, the executive director of the Career Center, advocated the importance of growing student participation in career fairs. 

“We want to grow student engagements in our career fairs,” she said, inviting the ASI committee to a lunch hosted by the Career Fairs Committee to further discuss strategies. Earlier in the day, the Career Center hosted a yard party and job fair in the main walkway, where students could learn about campus employment opportunities and other resources.

The Office of the Dean of Students provided an overview of the programs aimed at supporting students’ basic needs. Such as the Technology Loan Program, offering students access to laptops and iPads, food pantry, assisting students with CalFresh, emergency housing and grants for students in need.

The committee noted that they will no longer be offering the textbook scholarship program. The program was expanded last semester as previously reported by the University Times, and provided approximately $30,000 in textbook reimbursements. Now, students will no longer benefit from this program. 

The meeting underscored ASI’s commitment to addressing the evolving needs of students, from career readiness to basic needs, as the new academic year approaches.

This article was first published in the August 28 print edition of the University Times.