SF State’s student government inaugurated a new board of directors in a ceremony held in Jack Adams Hall on May 2.

In front of more than 100 family, friends and colleagues, the new Associated Students Inc. board members took their oath of office.

Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Penny Saffold performed the inauguration for the 2005-2006 board of directors.

“To me when you take an oath that’s sacred,” said Saffold, who has inaugurated ASI board members since 1984. “That means you are agreeing to live by the principles of this oath and therefore, to me, it’s an issue of integrity.”

The 17 elected student officials will sit on the board of directors, which decides how to utilize the estimated $3 million annually collected from student fees. The board will decide where funds should be allocated to best represent student body best interests. Every student pays a student body association fee of $42 during the fall and spring semesters and $24 for the summer session.

“You always get excited when they first come in,” said Peter Koo, executive director for ASI.
Koo has been with ASI since 1984, starting as a student assistant, and has worked his way up.

With a buffet-style dinner on purple and yellow tablecloths and flowers decorated on top of all 13 tables, family and friends sat with the new board members to help them celebrate. For newly elected Representative at Large Isidro Armenta, the ceremony marks the beginning of a new year.

“My family is in L.A.,” said Armenta, “I’m going to cherish this with my family here. I told my mom already. She’s really happy and excited.”

Mistress of Ceremonies Aimee Barnes, program development officer of the Cesar Chavez Student Center, spoke about the newly inaugurated students.

“(They) are willing to come forward to serve a cause," said Barnes. "Learning and developing skills at SF State should be respected.”

ASI President Chris Jackson spoke to his new board about being a commuter student when he first came to SF State, and how he came to love the campus. He also spoke about the lack of interest SF State’s student body has for ASI and how he plans to reach out to them.

“They’ll know they have an institution to fight for them,” said Jackson. “It’s (a) fine time when we are finally representing the students. We don’t want to be a commuter campus but a residential campus.”

Jackson ended his speech with an untitled poem and was met with a standing ovation from some audience members.

Oscar Edwards, the newly inaugurated creative arts representative, brought his grandmother, Dovie White, 67, to the ceremony. His parents live in Los Angeles and couldn’t make it.

“(It) felt good taking the oath (because it) made you feel improved and that you (could) make a difference,” said Edwards.

Edwards, a broadcast and electronic communication arts major, said he wants to work on student outreach with Jackson.

San Francisco Supervisor Chris Daly also appeared with his 7-month-old son Jack. Daly came to support Jackson, who was a former intern.

Others in attendance included SF State Athletics Director Mike Simpson, Undergraduate Advising Center Director Brett Smith and former 2001-2002 ASI President Ronda Newt.