ASI student election campaigns kick off this week

The Associated Students Inc. campaign season has returned to campus with plenty of signs in tow.

Candidates running in the 2014 ASI elections are allowed to begin campaigning as of Monday, said Kim Tabari, CSULB assistant director of student involvement.

Candidates have placed signs throughout campus near the Student Recreation and Wellness Center as well as near the stairs heading toward upper campus.

The 2014 presidential candidates include ASI Treasurer Agatha Gucyski and ASI Chief of Staff Joseph Phillips, according to the ASI website.

The two vice presidential candidates include College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Senator Anh Tran and ASI Secretary of Systemwide Affairs Nayiri Baghdassarian. The candidates running for treasurer are ASI Senator-at-Large Dominique Noble, Kalien Clark and Elizabeth Espinoza.

Despite candidates’ efforts to inform students of their platforms and engage them in the voting process, many students, such as undeclared freshman Chad Timblin, said they don’t yet know whether they will vote.

“I saw some signs recently … and read who’s running for office, but I just keep walking,” Timblin said. “I don’t really know much about [ASI] to be honest … When I’m on campus, I usually do my own thing in my own little world and don’t pay attention.”

Aside from the signs placed throughout campus, some students said they don’t know enough to be interested in the running candidates.

“I just noticed [the signs] today, and I have no idea who these people are,” said Jenna Rotundo, a junior communications studies major. “I’d like to have access to more research as to who they are, who I’d be voting for. I might vote this year if I have more information.”

Sophomore English literature major Andrea Maasz, who voted for ASI President John Haberstroh and Vice President Jonathon Bolin last year, said she plans to vote again in the coming election. She also said she hopes that one of the candidates will push for the library to stay open for more hours.

“I definitely think voting is an important part of being involved in school,” Maasz said. “I’d probably want longer library hours … I know on Saturdays it doesn’t open ‘til noon, so maybe that’s something [a candidate] can try and fix.”

With roughly two weeks allotted for candidates to campaign, ASI plans to host two Meet and Greets, where students will be able to meet candidates and learn about their positions.

The first Meet and Greet will be held on Tuesday at the Speaker’s Platform from noon to 1:30 p.m. and the other on March 19 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the North Lawn near the Social Sciences and Public Affairs building.

The ASI elections will be held online from March 21 to March 26.