Associated Students, Inc. addressed budget cuts to Sacramento State and the lack of student awareness about ASI’s programs and activities during the town hall meeting today in the University Union’s Lobby Suite.

In attendance were Executive Vice President Shawn Smith, Vice President of Finance Terry Martin, Director of Arts and Letters Angelique Lopez, Director of Undeclared Yeimi Lopez, Secretary of State Affairs Rylan Gervase and 15 students.

The board of directors said ASI’s grants, scholarships and programs, such as KSSU and Peak Adventures are underused by students. They explained how budget cuts to ASI’s programs might be decided and how student input was important in the decision.

Last semester, ASI administered surveys to students on different ASI programs, such as Safe Rides and the Aquatic Center. These surveys are being used to judge the popularity of ASI’s programs and determine which programs will be first to see budget cuts.

The board of directors also encouraged the students to express their concerns about issues facing the university.

“I didn’t prepare a huge speech for this,” Smith said. “I want to make it as interactive as possible.”

Reluctantly, the audience members began to raise their concerns.

One student asked how ASI plans to keep Sac State focused on higher education rather than the biggest, newest gymnasium and other extra-curricular activities.

“ASI’s real purpose is to improve the quality of education,” Martin said. “When we lost focus on higher education we’re no longer an institution of higher learning; we’re a shopping mall.”

The board of directors also suggested ways for students to get more involved on campus. One of those ways is the California Higher Education Student Summit, or C.H.E.S.S., which will be held from April 23 to 26. The event will serve as a medium for students to get their voices heard by lobbying and networking.

Today’s town hall meeting is the second of a three-part series titled “Education in the Recession,” which aims to focus on educational issues on the federal, state and local level. The third one, “Survival 101,” will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday in the Redwood Room.

ASI is asking for more student involvement and input this semester.

“Every single person on this campus is a dues-paying member of ASI,” Martin said.

Cahil Bhanji can be reached at [email protected].