Approved by the ASI Board of Directors on Jan. 7, 2026

ASI Student Government members are elected or appointed to serve as representatives and advocates for the Cal Poly student body. The corporate responsibilities of Student Government members are defined within the ASI Bylaws. This responsibility guide provides an overview of the key duties and expectations for the ASI President. Specific responsibilities and levels of involvement may vary throughout the term of office. 

 

ASI President 

The ASI President shall represent the general student body and act as the official representative and host of the Associated Students, Incorporated (ASI) to the administration of the university and the general public, together with such other duties as may be prescribed by the ASI Board of Directors. 

The ASI President is responsible for providing input regarding corporate operations and student advocacy for the entire term of office and shall be available to fulfill the responsibilities of their office at the start of the summer term to include meeting attendance, in-office work, retreats, and other affiliated responsibilities. 

The ASI President holds an active and highly visible role within the organization and across the university. This position requires a weekly time commitment of 40+ hours, including nights, weekends, and occasional required travel. The role involves regular collaboration with university partners, students, ASI staff, and community leaders to represent and advance the collective interests of the student body. 

 

Officer Responsibilities 

• Serve as an Officer of the Corporation. 
• Fulfill the duties of ASI President in accordance with the California Corporation Code. 
• Serve as a non-voting representative to the ASI Board of Directors. 
• Represent the Members of the Corporation itself to all persons and organizations within and outside the university. 
• Execute all legislation enacted by the ASI Board of Directors unless otherwise stated or directed. 
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Board of Directors. 
• Appoint Members to, and dismiss Members from, ASI, Academic Senate, and university wide Committees to represent ASI. 
• Provide input to the ASI Executive Director regarding corporate operations and student advocacy as appropriate. 
• Complete performance evaluation of the ASI Executive Director in collaboration with the Chair of the ASI Board of Directors, Chair of the University Union Advisory Board, and Vice President for Student Affairs and Strategic Enrollment Management. 
• Participate in organizational strategic planning and assessment processes, contributing to the development, execution, and evaluation of ASI’s strategic initiatives and goals. 
• Provide general oversight of the ASI Student Government annual budget, including budget planning and serving as a signature authority. 
• Coordinate with the other ASI Officers and ASI staff to ensure the efficacy of all training programs and any professional development activities that occur internally in ASI Student Government including diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice training for general student government members. 
• Author an appropriate and relevant transition report in collaboration with the Chief of Staff to be directed at the ASI President’s successor and provide this report by reasonable means to the ASI Executive Director prior to the end of the ASI President’s ordinary term, unless serving in the role for the succeeding term. 

 

Committee Responsibilities 

• Serve as an official representative of ASI as appointed on universitywide and Academic Senate committees. 
• Serve as a voting member of the ASI Business and Finance Committee. 
• Serve as the co-chair of the Campus Fee Advisory Committee. 
• Serve as the co-chair of the Student Success Fee Allocation Advisory Committee. 
• Serve as the co-chair of the Cal Poly Opportunity Fee Committee. 
• Serve on the Cal Poly Athletics Advisory Board. 
• Serve as an ASI representative on the Academic Senate. 
• Serve as the Chair of the Student Community Liaison Committee (SCLC).  
• Serve on ASI internal committees, Cal Poly committees, or other community committees as requested. 

 

Executive Cabinet Responsibilities 

• Appoint a Chief of Staff to oversee the ASI Executive Cabinet and ASI Executive Staff, subject to ratification by the ASI Board of Directors. 
• Provide general oversight of the ASI Chief of Staff. 
• Create and/or appoint an ASI Executive Cabinet and ASI Executive Staff to assist in achieving goals, provide advice on relevant student issues, and coordinate special events and activities. 
• Ensure continuous development of the ASI Executive Cabinet. 
• Appoint a President’s Designee to the UUAB. 

 

Summary of Typical Involvement 

• Meet regularly with the ASI Executive Director, ASI Officers, ASI Leadership Team, ASI Executive Cabinet members, ASI Chief of Staff, and ASI Executive Cabinet Advisor to ensure alignment of goals and initiatives. 
• Meet regularly with university administrators, including the President, Vice President for Student Affairs and Strategic Enrollment Management, and Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance, to support collaboration and uphold the principles of shared governance, as well as with other university leaders as needed. 
• Communicate actively with students to gather feedback, promote transparency, and strengthen engagement across the university. 
• Represent and elevate the student voice through reports to governing boards and serve as the primary student representative and speaker at major university events and ceremonies. 

Mandated Reporter  

The ASI President is considered a mandated reporter under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in ASI Policy as a condition of their volunteer assignment.  

 

Conflict of Interest  

It is a conflict of interest for ASI to employ members of ASI Student Government and require those individuals to have the responsibility of governing and making decisions regarding the organization by which they are employed.  Because of this conflict, it is necessary to separate the roles by not allowing a student to simultaneously hold a position in ASI Student Government and be employed by ASI.  

 

Term of Office  

The ordinary term of office for ASI Student Government members shall be one year, commencing on the day after the close of spring term and ending on the last day of the following spring term. The ASI President is responsible for providing input regarding corporate operations and student advocacy for the entire term of office and shall be available to fulfill the responsibilities of their office at the start of the summer term to include meeting attendance, in-office work, retreats and other affiliated responsibilities.   

 

Professional Development/Mentoring: 

Professional development/mentoring to the ASI President will be provided by the ASI Executive Director or designee. As a mentor, the Executive Director will provide constructive feedback and guidance on a regular basis to assist the ASI President in their personal and professional development. 

 

Qualifications for Office 

During their term of office, the ASI President must maintain compliance with all CSU and ASI requirements as outlined in the ASI Bylaws. 

 

Scholarship and Support Resources

The ASI President receives a scholarship each academic term during their term of office equal to 100% of the cost of education, as well as priority registration and ASI vehicle privileges, if eligible. Refer to the ASI Student Leader Scholarships Policy for additional information regarding eligibility terms, scholarship details, and the availability of summer scholarships.