ASI Board of Directors Votes to Implement Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

On Wednesday, May 30, the ASI Board of Directors voted to pass two bills regarding diversity and inclusion efforts and approved a redistribution of money from the ASI budget toward Social Justice Program Funding.

Bill #18-03: Implementation of an ASI Secretary of Diversity and Inclusion Executive Cabinet Position creates a permanent secretary of diversity and inclusion position on the ASI Executive Cabinet. This position is dedicated to promoting and addressing issues pertaining to diversity and inclusivity as well as forming and maintaining foundational relationships with Cal Poly’s underrepresented minority communities.

Bill #18-04: Implementation of an ASI Diversity and Inclusion Committee creates a sixth standing committee within ASI Student Government. This committee is charged with assuring ASI is addressing the needs and concerns of underrepresented minority students. The committee may make recommendations for inclusive language and consideration of student intersectionality within endorsements, resolutions, and bills. They will be tasked with hosting town halls open to all students to gather feedback on campus and ASI issues pertaining to diversity and inclusion.

The board approved the redistribution of $15,000 for a separate line item in the ASI budget to be used for social justice programming. ASI Social Justice Program Funding will be available for currently chartered Cal Poly recognized student organizations or Cal Poly departments to help support events and programs that are intended to serve/educate Cal Poly students regarding issues facing underrepresented minority students.

Bills were drafted by Nimrah Aslam, secretary of inclusivity and diversity on the Executive Cabinet, Denise Hensley, board representative for the Orfalea College of Business, Mitchell Collins, board representative for the College of Science and Mathematics, and James Smith, board representative for the College of Liberal Arts.