ASI president named to statewide post

Associated Students president Jennifer Reimer of Fresno was elected chair of the California State Student Association (CSSA) on Oct. 15, making her the “president of the presidents” in the California State University system, home to more than 400,000 students.

“My position requires me to equally take into account the needs of the students at each of the CSU campuses,” said Reimer, a graduate student who earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration-finance and a bachelor of arts degree in music last May.

And, she said, “It will bring more visibility to our campus at a statewide level. With a Fresno State student in a leadership role, it will ensure that a perspective from Fresno State is always present. Also, I will be able to facilitate the flow of information from CSSA to Fresno State.”

Reimer, who graduated from Bullard High School in Fresno, was a member of the Fresno State’s Smittcamp Family Honors College as an undergraduate

CSSA is an organization dedicated to maintaining and enhancing the accessibility of quality education and representing CSU students. Once a month, the Associated Students presidents and a student representative from each of the 23 campuses meet to discuss issues affecting students.

Three items dominate CSSA’s policy agenda for 2005-2006: financial aid, textbooks and voter education. Parking is also a priority of the University Affairs Committee, one of two major CSSA working committees.

Reimer is committed to meeting CSSA’s goals during her term as president. “I will make headway toward improving conditions for students in areas such as textbook prices, financial aid and parking,” Reimer said. “Also, I hope to encourage a strong voter registration and mobilization movement.”

n 2004-05, Reimer served CSSA as the Fresno State student representative and quickly saw how valuable Fresno State’s involvement could be.

“When I became involved in CSSA, Fresno State had not been active in the organization for a few years,” Reimer said.

“I helped arrange for Fresno State students to attend CHESS, an annual conference in Sacramento that presents workshops and gives students the opportunity to meet with their legislators. I also sat on the committee that selected students to be recommended to the governor for the student trustee position on the CSU Board of Trustees. Then Fresno State students went to Sacramento to speak with legislators regarding higher education.

“I was a part of the Multicultural Caucus, which ensures that CSSA is taking diversity into account in the organization’s actions. I also participated in formulating action plans to work for increased availability of financial aid.”

Reimer acknowledges that it may be challenging to hold the statewide and Fresno presidencies at the same time.

“Both positions require a considerable time commitment. However, I am confidant that I will be able to successfully serve students in both positions. Further, my role in CSSA will help strengthen my understanding of the workings of Fresno State.”

Student representative Michael Karbassi, a Fresno State Associated Students Senator, joins Reimer at CSSA meetings.

(Copy by Jamie Kay Buckner, Associated Students public relations specialist.)