Associated Students Incorporated, or ASI, elections are coming soon to SF State, but some students are unaware of ASI and what its function means to them.

Senior Edward Lee, 22, said he has never heard of ASI or noticed it. Lee, a Psychology major, said knowing the benefits and incentives would encourage him to vote.

“Let the students know in order for the students to know what they do,” said Lee.

ASI is the campus student government, an organization that allocates money for student activities throughout the academic year. ASI provides funding school clubs, scholarships and services like the Legal Resource Center, Health Insurance and the Women’s Center.

Every SF State student is connected to ASI paying $42 from their tuition fees to the organization.

ASI managed a budget of over $3.2 million for the 2005-2006 year, according to ASI financial documents.

“The general purposes of the Associated Students are to promote student awareness of and competence in the practices of democratic citizenship among the members of the Associated Students, to ensure the full and equal representation in the affairs and government of Associated Students and all its members to provide facilities and programs capable of satisfying the needs and interests of all the members of Associated Students, and to promote free and open means of communication between all members of Associated Students,”said ASI in its website.

ASI elections start on March 19, while candidates should currently be getting ready to file for a position. The last day is Monday, February 12 for candidates to submit their applications for election. Along with their applications, potential candidates are expected to have a petition of 25 or 100 student signatures depending on the position they are vying for.

Some positions run unopposed while others remain empty for lack of anyone running for them.

Abtin Forghani, 23, the Junior Representative for ASI, is running for Vice President of External Affairs for the next academic year.

Forghani, a BECA major, says he will get students to vote for him by going into classes and making announcements.

“I’m energetic, I’m very believable… I trust my fellow students and I hope they trust in me to protect their interests,” Forghani said.

Lee suggests fliers and notifying students in class would keep students better informed.

Dominique Guerrero, 19 said she saw one poster about student elections, and blames students for not knowing what ASI does.

“I think it’s basically our school, people don’t get involved,” Guerrero said.

Guerrero, an undeclared sophomore, said she would like to know what candidates will be doing differently.

“For the people that are running, tell us a little about them and what they plan on changing,” she said.

ASI Vice President of Internal Affairs, Isidro Armenta, 21, says this is an issue for ASI every semester. Armenta, a marketing major, says ASI sponsors events to promote student awareness and participation.

“For me, I’ve been here constantly making announcements about ASI programs and services. And also attending several events sponsored by ASI, such as Alpha Phi Alpha Step that happened this weekend,” Armenta said.