ASI Board of Directors Approves Shared Governance Model Integrating Cal Maritime and Cal Poly Students

San Luis Obispo, Calif. 11/24/2025 — ASI Board of Directors has approved a new Shared Governance Model that formally integrates student leadership from the Cal Poly Maritime Academy on the Solano campus into ASI’s unified structure. 

The model, developed in accordance with the California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees’ Integration Plan, takes effect following the administrative integration of Cal Maritime with Cal Poly on July 1, 2025. This milestone ensures that Cal Poly Maritime Academy students will have meaningful representation and leadership opportunities within ASI while maintaining compliance with CSU auxiliary regulations and corporate oversight standards.  

The newly established ASI Maritime Academy Council (AMAC) will serve as the primary recommending body for Cal Poly Solano student affairs within ASI beginning July 1, 2026. The Council provides structured representation through elected and appointed student leaders, including a Chair and Vice Chair, who will serve as liaisons between the Solano and San Luis Obispo campuses. 

“This time of abundance calls us to lead with integrity, using the wealth of ideas around us to shape a system of shared governance that reflects our students’ collective values,” stated Jett Palmer, ASI Board of Directors member and Chair of the ASI Cal Maritime Integration Ad Hoc Committee. 

“We’re proud to be a part of this integration and excited about the endless possibilities that come with joining the Cal Poly family,” said Carlos Arencibia, Associated Students of the California Maritime Academy (ASCMA) President and member of the ASI Cal Maritime Integration Ad Hoc Committee. “Together, we’re shaping a unified student experience built on collaboration, inclusion, and a shared commitment to leading this next chapter.” 

“At the end of the day, the most powerful thing on any campus is the student voice,” said Marc Cabeliza, ASI President and member of the ASI Cal Maritime Integration Ad Hoc Committee. “With Solano now part of our Cal Poly community, that voice just got bigger and stronger. We want to make sure every student, no matter which campus they call home, has the support, resources, and opportunities they need to truly thrive.” 

The governance model was developed through extensive collaboration between ASI and ASCMA, supported by staff, consultants, and an ad hoc integration committee established by the ASI Board of Directors. It emphasizes student representation, leadership development, process consistency, corporate oversight, and regulatory compliance across both campuses. With approval by the ASI Board of Directors and endorsement by the ASCMA Board of Directors, the model will now move toward formal adoption through revisions to the ASI Bylaws and other corporate documents. 

This integration marks a significant step in advancing unified, student-centered governance that reflects Cal Poly’s commitment to inclusive leadership, shared responsibility, and the empowerment of student voices across the CSU system. 

For more information, contact asimarketing@calpoly.edu  

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