Associated Students Inc.’s board of directors finished the fall 2008 semester with a 100 percent retention of all members who met the eligibility requirements.

In the spring 2008 semester, four board members were found ineligible to be in ASI and one resigned.

According to ASI Bylaws, board members must have a good academic standing of a 2.0 grade point average, and can serve as long as their cumulative GPA remains 2.5 or higher.

ASI Executive Director Patricia Worley said that, historically ASI has had an average of one to three board members fail to meet eligibility requirements at the midyear evaluation to continue in the office.

“I do not know for certain the last time that we had 100 percent retention. However, I believe it was around 1998, 1999,” Worley said.

Edward Jones, campus life associate vice president, said that in his two and a half years at Sacramento State, this has been the first board that served the first part of its term completely intact.

“They’ve got a tough thing, but I do think that what has made the difference this year is that they do prioritize,” Jones said.

Juan Carlos Jauregui, director of Health and Human Services, said that being in student government is great, but sometimes too great because he gets too involved with student government and forgets he also has student homework everyday.

“I believe in discipline and I restrain myself from doing ASI-related work when I need to do homework and vice versa,” Jauregui said.

Kathryn Kay, vice president of Academic Affairs, has to be mindful of her class schedule because ASI meets every Wednesday for three hours in the afternoon.

“I also make sure to have appointments programmed on my phone, so reminders go off in advance so I can be prepared,” Kay said.

Florenda McGee, Education director, said she managed all her obligations and activities this past semester by staying organized and remembering to have fun sometimes.

“I think it shows the student body how hard we work to stay on the board. We are also a great example and representation of the student body,” McGee said.

Sarah Couch, director of Undeclared, said that managing school, work and life proved very difficult at times; she wouldn’t have done as well without the staff of Rita Tyk, board associate, and Worley.

“They keep the ASI organization stable and in order amid times of chaos, such as midterms and finals weeks,” Couch said.

Hitesh Dewan, director of Engineering and Computer Science, said that the board’s commitment to its own individual education, as well as duty to students, shows its pride as Sac State students.

“As a board, we invite the students of Sac State to see the possibilities. We show how teamwork, support and determination can change trends and set a new bearing towards progression as a collective whole,” Dewan said.

Shawn Smith, ASI Graduate Studies director, said that the student government, compared to a typical group project, is like a group project on steroids that impacts and enhances the overall college experience.

However, Smith said, ASI should not spend too much time patting itself on the back for this accomplishment.

“I believe we still have a lot of work to do, because true leadership is more than simply fulfilling minimum requirements,” Smith said.

Couch said the success of the board as a whole shows the campus just how strong the organization is.

“You’ve got some of the most hardworking people working on behalf of you,” Couch said.

Catherine Robledo can be reached at [email protected]