Fresno State Associated Students Inc. (ASI) held its first meeting of the semester on Wednesday, Aug. 24.

Newly appointed president Caroline Alvarez chaired the meeting after recently filling the vacancy left by former president-elect Cinthya Arriaga Sanchez.

“It’s been a lot busier than I expected,” Alvarez said. “But I think it’s good to have constant talks with the administration to keep reminding them what students need and all the good things we have going on.”

Having served as vice president of external affairs (VPEX) all of last school year, Alvarez said she finds the two executive roles both similar and different in their responsibilities.

“As VPEX, it was really just external business and meeting with a few different people. But now as president, I have to focus my time here on campus rather than off of it, and that’s been a big change,” she said.

Now leading this year’s group of senators, Alvarez spent a portion of her first meeting looking for a successor for the VPEX role.

During the meeting, former ASI president D’Aungillique Jackson was mentioned as a potential successor for the position. Jackson appeared in front of the senate and spoke on her behalf, listing her prior positions and qualifications.

“I think it should be someone who is very outspoken and passionate about civic engagement. I was super passionate about that engagement, and I’d love to see someone else who is just as passionate and has great ideas in that position,” she said.

The VPEX position will be voted on at the next senate meeting which is set for Wednesday, Sept. 7.