Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) appointed three new students to the Student Court and discussed a new program, the Fresno State Dance Marathon, at its meeting Wednesday evening.
The students are appointed to Student Court were Felicia Accosta, Peeven Ariola and Maria Murray. The ASI personnel committee reviewed a number of applications and recommended the three students for the senate to appoint.
“We feel these individuals have the qualifications and objectivity that we’re looking for in Student Court judges, and they had no conflict of interest that we felt would jeopardize or compromise their ability to serve,” president Arthur Montejano said.
Two of the students introduced themselves to the senate.
Accosta, a junior at Fresno State, is originally from Colorado. She is a 4.0 GPA student and is majoring in philosophy with an emphasis in pre-law and a minor in criminology. She worked for a city attorney as a legal assistant for many years.
Murray is also majoring in philosophy with an emphasis in pre-law and a minor in criminology. She is a member of Phi Alpha Delta, a pre-law fraternity on campus. Murray interned at the Fresno State public defender’s office last summer.
Ariola was unable to attend the meeting. His application was processed the day of the meeting so he received notice of his recommendation shortly before the meeting. Although he wasn’t able to introduce himself, a few members of ASI recommended him for appointment at the meeting.
“He’s very on top of things, and I think he would be great for Student Court,” said Rebecca Rosengarten, ASI vice president of finance.
All three students were appointed to the Student Court by a unanimous vote by the senate.
Another item on the agenda was a presentation by executive vice president Parmita Choudhury on a new program: the Fresno State Dance Marathon.
Choudhury explained that a dance marathon is an extended period of time when dancers would be on their feet dancing while professional dancers perform, DJs play live music and other events take place. Fresno State’s event will be eight hours and will also include a fashion show.
The Fresno State Dance Marathon is part of ASI’s community revitalization program. ASI, Greek life and the Student Recreation Center are collaborating to plan the event.
The goal of a dance marathon is a fundraiser. All proceeds raised by Fresno State’s marathon will go to nonprofit organizations that Fresno State already supports. Some are the Bulldog Pantry, the El Dorado Boys and Girls Club, Wesley United Methodist Church and Stone Soup Fresno. Dancers will have the chance to vote on which organization receives the money they generate.
“We believe that through our combined efforts and what we’ll do here, that it will make a difference in our community,” Choudhury said.
She encouraged senate members to register and invite their friends to do so as well. She said the goal is to get the word out in order to get as much involvement as possible.
The goal for the dance marathon at Fresno State is to register 1,000 dancers and raise $10,000. There will be a $10 registration fee, and the event will be open to only Fresno State students. The dance marathon will be on April 27 from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. in the Student Rec Center.