The Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) senate met on Oct. 29 and heard presentations from representatives of the Amendola Family Student Cupboard and Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD).
In his presentation, Michael Ballin, coordinator of the Student Cupboard, spoke about the cupboard’s resources for food insecurity.
He also brought up the potential impacts of the CalFresh (California’s version of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefit cuts, which will take effect in November.
In Fresno County alone, roughly 248,000 people receive CalFresh benefits. As for the Student Cupboard, Ballin said that since the Student Cupboard and other Fresno food-providing organizations vend from the Central California Food Bank, they are preparing to use different vendors and resources in anticipation of scarcity.
“If we’re all getting food from the food bank at the same time, what it kind of leaves us to think about [is], what’s going to be available for us to buy at the rate that we’re used to buying from?” Ballin said.
Ballin said that, according to data from Sept. 23, the Student Cupboard has received over 18,000 visits this semester and over 500 visits per day.
“There’s been a lot of conversation about, how do we prepare for that [CalFresh benefit cuts]?” Ballin said. “How do we buy more food? What are we going to do for those students?”
In collaboration with ASI, the Student Cupboard is planning to implement more vending machines around campus to increase food accessibility.
Ballin concluded his segment, and the senate moved to action item 7.2, a presentation by Jennie Johnson, director of SSD. Johnson highlighted the accommodations that the program offers and discussed the demographics of those they serve.
“Right now, we currently have over 1,000 students registered with our office,” Johnson said.
She said that ever since COVID-19, the number of students registered for psychological and mental health disorders has increased.
“This is our highest number of students at SSD,” she said.
Johnson also said that they plan to host an autism awareness speaker in late February or early March.
SSD can provide students with services including alternative testing options, assistive technology and equipment and peer academic coaching. Applications for SSD can be found here.
Then, ASI President Camalah Saleh updated the senate on the 2024-25 ASI cohort’s approved proposal to give up their reserved parking spaces in parking lot P2. She said that, per campus policy, those parking spaces cannot be converted, but that ASI is planning more options.
“We are working on making more green spaces for students on campus,” Saleh said.
Then, Vice President of Finance Dayanara Guzman presented the financial consent calendar, which passed unanimously.
Each senator, executive and staff member gave reports summarizing what they’re working on to conclude the meeting.
Saleh notably said that she is working on establishing a spot for 24/7 studying during finals season.
ASI meets every other Wednesday in the Resnick Student Union Room 207 from 4-6 p.m. Meetings are livestreamed and open to the public.
