18 Mar Better Together: ASI Commissions Host Impact Week
- ASI’s five commissions collaborate to host Impact Week, a week of events dedicated to the work of student government commissions.
- The CSUF community learned about different ways to make an impact on campus and in their own lives.
At Associated Students Inc., Cal State Fullerton students run the show. In addition to roles like President or Board of Directors, advocacy also happens through ASI Commissions.
ASI’s five commissions—the University Affairs, Environmental Sustainability, Community Engagement, Social Justice & Equity and Lobby Corps — hosted their first-ever Impact Week from Feb. 23 to Feb. 27 to offer students resources and encourage needs-based advocacy.
“We know students don’t know the work the commissions do, so we wanted to show students the impact we make on campus,” said Natalie Veik, director for the Community Engagement Commission.
Throughout the week, each commission showcased the importance of its work through engaging and interactive resources and activities.
Day 1 | “Guiding Futures” Relieves Post-Job Anxiety
“Guiding Futures” gave students the chance to talk to different campus partners like the Career Center and Office of Students Conduct / Credit: ASI Marketing, Communication & Design
Impact Week kicked off with the University Affairs Commission hosting “Guiding Futures,” an academic resource fair doubling as a coffee chat.
“Some students struggle with graduating in the traditional four years,” said commission member Feyi Adebajo. “We wanted to figure out how we can make that a reality for more students while providing them something they’ll enjoy as a ‘thank you’ for attending.”
With coffee in hand, attendees stopped by the resource tables to find ways to ease post-grad career anxiety. The CSUF Career Center provides drive-through advising and Hiration, an AI-powered career platform that can review resumes and cover letters. Meanwhile, the Office of Student Conduct debunked common student conduct myths while clarifying university policies.
“Guiding Futures” helped students prepare for their post-grad job search, providing resources to help students graduate on time.
Day 2 | Creativity Meets Sustainability at “ReCraft at the Farmer’s Market”
“ReCraft” set up outside the TSU during Tuesday’s regularly scheduled Farmer’s Market | Credit: ASI Marketing, Communication & Design
Tuesday’s ASI Farmer’s Market looked different thanks to the Environmental Sustainability Commission’s “ReCraft at the Farmer’s Market,” where participants channeled their inner Leonardo da Vinci as an artist and innovator. After grabbing lunch, attendees learned about sustainable fashion choices and decorated their own flowerpots.
“Our main goal is to promote sustainability across campus, so we wanted to show students some fun ways to make an impact by showing ways to incorporate sustainable choices into their lifestyle,” said Maaz Quereshi, director of the commission.
Students could use a variety of stickers and paint markers to decorate their functional keepsake. / Credit: ASI Marketing, Communication & Design
Students chose stickers to decorate their own flowerpots with the help of ASI’s Art Programs and learned about upcycling clothing from Kornelija Newcomer of Kornelija Art, an artist and sustainable fashion advocate.
“Everyone has clothes they don’t wear anymore, but just because it’s damaged doesn’t mean it deserves to be thrown out,” said Newcomer. “It still has potential, and that’s the joy of upcycling.”
With keepsakes in hand, students left with upcycled fashion and sustainability resources.
Day 3 | Mind, Body and Community Take Focus at “Wellness Wednesday”
Organizations like Titan Rec offered students ways to care for their mental and physical wellness. / Credit: ASI Marketing, Communications & Design
A typical Wednesday walk in the main quad welcomed new and familiar faces to campus. The Community Engagement Commission’s “Wellness Wednesday” brought campus resources and outside organizations directly to students, encouraging them to care for their physical and mental wellness.
“CSUF is a big commuter campus, and I feel like a lot of people come to campus and then go home,” said Veik. “We wanted to give students different options to fit their needs.”
With the help of TitanHEALTH, Titan Recreation, the Indigenous Circle of Wellness and Neaumix Fit Pilates Studio, attendees learned about free group therapy, free Pilates classes and healing practices at little to no cost.
This collaboration allowed students to leave feeding their mind, body and heart.
Day 4 | Students Relax at “Pathway to Peace”
Participants could take part in one of the sound bath sessions happening during “Pathway to Peace.” / Credit: ASI Marketing, Communication & Design
For some, Thursday marks the start of the weekend away from the classroom. To kickstart the weekend, the Social Justice & Equity Commission’s “Pathway to Peace” brought wellness activities to Titans’ fingertips through mindfulness, sound baths and ways to explore inner peace.
“We wanted to ensure the activities catered to different comfort levels, so that every student had control of their experience,” said Ava Montano, ASI Chief Inclusion and Diversity officer and head of the commission.
Students looking to reflect inward could craft journal entries with free introspective prompts and art supplies.
Anyone interested in stepping away from the hustle and bustle stepped into a sound bath session and enjoyed the vibrating frequencies. For the full experience, students completed their relaxation oasis with a traditional massage.
Day 5 | Student Voices Take the Lead at “Titans Shape Policy”
View this post on Instagram
The Lobby Corps Commission ended Impact Week with “Titans Shape Policy,” a short civic engagement survey where participants entered a giveaway for a free swag bag.
With policies surrounding higher education constantly in debate, the event brought civic engagement to the forefront of students’ minds. “Titans Shape Policy” called for students to share their knowledge, experiences and concerns about educational funding.
The information gathered from “Titans Shape Policy” will be taken on the upcoming California Higher Education Student Summit (CHESS) trip on Mar. 21, where CSUF students will talk directly with state legislators in hopes of impacting future education policy.
“We wanted the opportunity for students to advocate on issues that matter to them, particularly as we prepare for our upcoming commission advocacy trip to the State Capitol,” said ASI Lobby Corps Commissioner Berto Serrano.
ASI’s impact week brought together the five commissions together for the first time in 50 years. / Credit: ASI Marketing, Communications & Design
With “Impact Week” concluded, students still have opportunities to make their own impact. Upcoming commission-led events include Social Justice & Equity’s Women’s United: Care & Community Donation Drive from Mar. 24 – Mar. 27 at the TSU and Women’s Resource Center.