Building One Student Voice: Inside the Work of the ASI Cal Maritime Integration Ad Hoc Committee

Over the past year, student leaders from two campuses came together with a shared goal: to build a unified, inclusive future for student governance at Cal Poly. 

The ASI Cal Maritime Integration Ad Hoc Committee, established in April 2025, served as a bridge between Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) and the Associated Students of the California State University Maritime Academy (ASCMA). At a time of institutional transition, the committee ensured that student voices remained at the center of decision-making. 

Through 25 meetings and ongoing collaboration, the committee brought together diverse perspectives, experiences, and priorities from both campuses. For student leaders involved, that collaboration was a defining element of the process. 

“My main goal as a member of the ad hoc committee was to help create a smooth and collaborative transition process while making sure Cal Poly Maritime Academy (CPMA) students remained involved every step of the way,” said ASCMA President Carlos Arencibia. “I wanted to help build strong communication between all groups involved and ensure that the final outcomes reflected both the traditions of Cal Maritime and the opportunities that come with integration.” 

A Student-Led Approach to Integration 

From the beginning, the committee’s work was rooted in shared governance. Members were tasked with understanding each campus’s culture and systems while designing a structure that could support both communities moving forward. 

For committee leadership, trust-building became a foundational priority. Jett Palmer, Chair of the Committee, emphasized that this required intentional relationship-building across campuses. 

“I made a deliberate effort throughout the process to improve my understanding of their culture, values, and norms,” he said. “At no point was trust assumed. I helped build it intentionally and authentically.” 

He also highlighted the importance of transparency and communication throughout the process. “Clear, consistent communication ahead of key decisions gave committee members the time to process new information, consider alternatives, and come prepared for discussion,” Palmer said. 

Navigating Complexity Through Shared Decision-Making 

The committee worked through complex governance and structural decisions that required balancing multiple perspectives and priorities. For Maritime student leaders, advocacy played a central role in shaping outcomes. 

“My approach was to reflect the high level of professionalism that I had experienced from some of my peers in years past,” said committee member Karl Nordhoff. “My priority in student government was to aid in the continuity of culture year after year and maintain a high standard of representation and professionalism, individuality, and personal expression.” 

Key Outcomes That Will Shape the Future 

The committee’s work resulted in three major deliverables: 

• A Shared Governance Model establishing a unified framework for student leadership 
• Responsibility Guides defining new student leadership roles within the ASI Maritime Academy Council (AMAC) 
• ASI Bylaws Amendments formally integrating Maritime student representation into ASI 
• Together, these outcomes establish the foundation for a more unified student governance structure across both campuses. 

The committee recommended establishing the ASI Maritime Academy Council (AMAC) as a fourth branch that serves as a recommending body to the ASI Board of Directors and connects Maritime Academy students to student government. 

The AMAC is composed of two primary leadership roles: the Chair and Vice Chair, each working collaboratively to represent and advocate for students at the Cal Poly Maritime Academy. The Chair of the AMAC provides overall leadership, oversight, and coordination of the Council, serving as the primary liaison between students, university administration, and ASI governance structures. The Vice Chair of the AMAC supports the Chair in executing Council responsibilities and helps maintain internal communication and continuity with other branches of Student Government. These two lead the AMAC members, who serve as the broader representative body of the Council, actively engaging with the student population, identifying needs and concerns, and contributing to advocacy efforts, programming, and initiatives that support the Cal Poly Maritime Academy community.  

These roles ensure consistent student representation, shared governance participation, and effective advancement of student-focused priorities across campus. 

Looking Ahead 

With final approval from the ASI Board of Directors on May 27, 2026, the committee’s recommendations will now move into implementation. Beginning July 1, 2026, Cal Poly Maritime Academy students will officially become members of ASI, with representation embedded across governance bodies. 

The AMAC will play a key role in connecting Cal Poly Maritime Academy students to all branches of student government.  

Alyson Engel, committee member said, “I believe we have a strong governance structure prepared, and that we will accurately represent student voice on both campuses next year. It will take time for some of the details to be hammered out, but the committee members did a great job of considering all possibilities and taking many perspectives into account.” 

At its core, the committee’s work reflects a commitment to collaboration, shared governance, and student-centered leadership across both campuses. 

For additional information, contact ASI Student Government at @asistudentgovernment@calpoly.edu or visit ASI Student Government on the ASI website. Make sure to follow us on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletters.