President Angel Barajas announced his candidates for the two lingering Associated Students Inc. board member vacancies Sept. 19 ?” simultaneously leaving another position vacant.

Robbie Abelon, a junior government-history major with prior ASI experience, was chosen to fill the shoes of former Executive Vice President James Shelby II.

Graduate student Bonnie Sugiyama, currently sitting on the board as director of education, was selected to take over the vice president of finance role, formerly occupied by Julio Velazquez.The appointments will face board scrutiny at the meeting today.

Sugiyama’s nomination, if approved, will leave her former position vacant. Sugiyama told board members that although she has not yet found someone to her take her spot that she will search for a qualified candidate.

Barajas said Abelon outshined his competitors by completing an action plan with his application that tells what he will pursue once in office. Barajas said Abelon’s “vision” includes establishing a campuswide scholarship database and taking advantage of the Capitol proximity to the campus by setting up student programs.

“I do have some experiences on the ASI board and know what ASI can do,” Abelon said.

Abelon was the secretary of state affairs in 2004 and has held extensive leadership roles on and off campus, Barajas said.

Student Affairs Designee Heather Dunn-Carlton said she questions Abelon’s ability to obtain a high enough GPA in order to remain on the board due to what happened in spring when Abelon won the vice president of Academic Affairs position, but later stepped down because of a low GPA.

Barajas said Abelon told him during a phone interview that he would be able to manage his studies in addition to spending 10 to 20 hours a week completing his ASI duties.

Out of the three applications, only two were eligible for the executive vice president spot and one of those two, Barajas said, could not complete the interviewing process. Barajas said Sugiyama was the only contender for the executive vice president position because the other two were not able to commit enough time to ASI.

Sugiyama currently sits on the Finance and Budget Committee, which Barajas said makes her qualified for the position. Barajas said Sugiyama has been well-prepared during committee meetings and contributes knowledgeably to the discussion.

“That’s what ASI needs, is someone who is excited about the position,” Barajas said.

Sugiyama was present at the working board meeting and was available to answer board member questions. Vice President of University Affairs Christine Hopkins asked Sugiyama what has prepared her for the finance role.

Sugiyama told the board that with the completion of three finance classes in her undergraduate business degree, she was fit for the job.

Sugiyama also serves as the coordinator for PRIDE at Sacramento State, a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Intersexual and Queer people organization at the Women’s Resource Center.

Abelon has been active in student politics at Sacramento State serving as the Northern California vice president of the California College Democrats since April and co-founding the College Democrats chapter during the spring of 2004.

Abelon recently spent three weeks in Baton Rouge, La., helping victims of the hurricanes and contributing to the efforts of the American Red Cross.

Jessica Weidling can be reached at [email protected]