Associated Students, Inc. had their first board meeting of the school year, swearing in two new board directors and voting to create a new internal committee that will manage ASI’s public relations and online presence.

Rahmi Karajeh and Rachel Pearman were sworn in at the beginning of the meeting, filling two of four board positions available. Karajeh, a sophomore civil engineering major, will serve as director of engineering and computer science. Pearman, a gender equity studies graduate student, will be the new graduate director.

Board President Roberto Torres interviewed Pearman and another student during the summer to determine who would be the best graduate director nominee. “I need to tell you, it was a very difficult decision at first, both candidates were very well-qualified,” Torres said.

Torres chose Pearman because of her active participation in Pride Center events. “Gays and lesbians have a harder time finding resources on campus that are culturally appropriate,” Pearman said.

Pearman plans to initiate better outreach techniques for targeting gay and lesbian graduate students, a group she says has higher dropout rates due to facing unintentionally detrimental obstacles. “She brought on a very unique background that’s beneficial to the board,” Torres said.

Karajeh ran for director of undeclared last spring, but dropped out of the race. Over the summer he changed his major from undeclared to civil engineering and decided to give ASI one last shot.

“I thought it would be a good way to get involved on campus,” Karajeh said.

Karajeh wants to increase student participation on campus. “Rahmi had a very good view that fits with our plans,” Torres said.

New members were also appointed to the Website Management Committee and Student Relations Committee. Johanna-Joy Garcia is now the new chair of the Website Management Committee.

Garcia’s position is a volunteer one and brings no financial impact to ASI.

Board members also discussed Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s recently proposed Assembly Bill 187, concerning the decentralization of California Student Aid Commission (CSAC). If enacted, the Cal Grants that CSAC administers would be administered through the CSU, UC and community colleges statewide.

Community colleges would also be the only schools to administer competitive Cal Grants. Torres said that governor would most likely sign the bill into law if it passes through Legislation tomorrow.

Julia Baum can be reached at [email protected].