Associated Students Inc. (ASI) currently has six programs and are planning to open a seventh in January 2006. All of ASI's programs are funded by the $42 fee students pay every semester for the 19-seat student-elected board to represent them. With a budget of close to $3 million, almost a third of that, $817,541, is budgeted on programs this year. Here's how those six programs are doing.

1. ECEC
The Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) provides a childcare program for students, staff and faculty with children from ages six months up to 5 years old. The ECEC, located near the dorms, is one of the most credited childcare facilities in the state. Enrollment priority is given to low-income students and ECEC currently has 147 families with one or two children enrolled.

"We work every semester on keeping our national association for education of young children accreditation (NAEYC) (and) keeping our center’s quality of childcare really high for supporting student-parents," said Carol Rector, pre-school program coordinator.

Though the ECEC did not have a fundraiser this semester, the parent advisory committee is planning one for next semester.

2. Project Rebound
Established in 1967, Project Rebound works to enroll people out of the criminal justice system and into SF State. Using the slogan “Education as an alternative to incarceration,” the program works as a bridge, sometimes while the person is in prison, helping make the transfer to SF State as easy as possible by providing resources inside and outside of the university. Project Rebound has admitted 22 new applicants this semester, bringing total enrollment up to 40.

This semester, the program offered a monthly “Conscious Movie Series” showing documentaries about politics and the criminal justice system. Documentaries this semester included “These Streets are Watching,” a prison-focused film about police brutality. The program also focused on at-risk youth by bringing together high schools in the Mission District to paint a memorial at 23rd and Bartlett streets.

“Whenever they need support we are always there, for whatever reasons at different times,” said Director Jason Bell. “Coming through the system myself, knowing that education is so far removed from the system, it’s important to me.”

Project Rebound is located in the Cesar Chavez Student Center in T-138

3. Women’s Center
The Women’s Center offers a library of books about women and referrals to Bay Area bookstores, shelters, counseling, health centers, and political organizations for women.

4. Legal Resource Center
The Legal Resource Center (LRC) provides students with information and referrals when dealing with legal issues. The staff informs students as to what the laws says about their issue, research the information and if need be, students may make an appointment with an attorney at the rate of $10 for a half hour.

“Oftentimes, they (students) just want to know what their rights are,” said Director Alonzo Jones.

The LRC has contacts with many legal agencies in the Bay Area that are low-cost or no-cost, and selects agencies that are accommodating to students, according to Jones.

This semester, the LRC saw an average of 49 students per week, according to Jones. In November, they held a “Know Your Rights” clinic, making experts available for complicated housing issues. A seminar with experts in traffic and immigration laws is planned for December.

The LRC is located in the Cesar Chavez Student Center in M-113A

5. Eros
Education and Referral Organization for Sexuality (EROS) works on promoting diversity, tolerance and responsibility towards sexuality by offering education and services to students. Students are welcomed to free items, such as condoms, lubricants and dental dams, and a library of over 200 books on sex. EROS also offers peer counseling and referrals.

This semester, EROS has collaborated with other organizations on five or six events to help educate attendees on sex, according to Director Elsa Pena. They also held “Monster Massive,” a costume party for students promoting safe sex and alcohol and drug awareness. Pena also plans on expanding the library to include a video collection. Pena also wants to work on making EROS more known to students.

“I want this place to be just as well known as the student health center,” said Pena.

EROS is located in the Cesar Chavez Student Center in M-109.

6. Performing Arts and Lecture
Performing Arts and Lecture, a university program before becoming an ASI program, have been putting on films, lectures, concerts, special events and arts and craft fairs for SF State students. This semester, the program has shown five movies, including the Longest Yard and War of the Worlds. Vendors were also invited to participant in their semi annual craft fair held at the Cesar Chavez Student Center.

According the Director Muata Kenyatta, the program has served over 2,700 students this semester. They have plans on expanding the program more so by offering as many free events as they can and also by addressing the change and expansion of the campus.

“We’re here to take care of the students,” said Kenyatta. “We’re determined and dedicated to the students, making sure they get something back for their fees.”

Performing Arts and Lecture is located in the Cesar Chavez Student Center in T-115