On Nov. 2, The VanCougar hosted a live press conference with the Associated Students of WSU Vancouver to ask questions concerning their new strategic plan, cancellation of spring break, food insecurity and much more. Students can watch the full conference in its entirety or refer to the transcripted version below.
Strategic Plan
What does the Strategic Plan consist of?
Armando:
We shaped it very much similar to the Washington State University Strategic Plan, but we really made it focus just on students and student’s needs. We were able to identify five areas in which we could actively participate and have active initiatives to help solve. These areas include mental and physical health, food insecurities, social equality, sustainability and cultivating community engagement.
What will you do to ensure your [Strategic Plan] goals are met?
Armando:
First off, we make [the Strategic Plan] our number one priority, we make that our guiding compass and our promise to students. Just recently we’ve actually broken up ASWSUV into smaller subsections of groups who are dedicated to solve one specific aspect of the Strategic Plan. We wanted to make sure the ASWSUV members chose a specific aspect they’re passionate about and help achieve the goals in that.
How will ASWSUV be keeping a check on themselves to ensure they are meeting their goals?
Armando:
Always checking in with ourselves and making sure we’re all working on initiatives that are related to that Strategic Plan. Also being flexible, if we notice there’s another need, being able to say “Okay let’s replace this one and put this need in because it’s the most pressing need for students”. Just trying to connect with those students and making sure they feel supported by us. At the end of the day, if they feel they’re being supported by us, we’re doing our job successfully.
Cancellation of spring break
Are you for or against the cancellation of spring break?
Armando:
As a student, I very much was expecting that week-long break to give my mind a rest and just make sure that I have some time to breathe. So it’s very clear that I don’t have a spring break this spring. I would say I am not for it. … But now that the decision has been made, all focus now is to make sure students’ mental health for next semester is secure and adequate to make it so we can even finish on time here at WSU. We’re working close with the administration and seeing what we can do to implement different days of fully synchronized [classes], so you don’t necessarily have to show up to a Zoom class for a week but rather you can just watch a [class] recording.
Could you explain to students why WSU Vancouver has to follow the Pullman campus in their decision to cancel spring break?
Armando:
That was my number one question as well, and that’s what I asked. … So, WSU Vancouver relies on different campuses to teach classes and WSU Vancouver teaches classes for different campuses. At the end of the day, since we’re a huge organization and have integrated classes, systems and procedures, what one campus does, and typically the bigger campus, most often affects all the other campuses. I’ve requested a meeting with all the Chancellor’s and all the presidents to get a better understanding of what areas the system has integrated and what areas the system is free to do what different campuses would like.
Closing of the cafeteria
Do you support the closing of the cafeteria?
Armando:
I used to work in the cafeteria. …. So, I got to see the amazing community that the area cultivated, and the amazing staff and the options for students to have a job and be employed through it, but I also got to see the other sides of it. … I’m not gonna say mismanagement, but it was not profitable at all. Because it wasn’t profitable, all the money that was in red had to be subsidized by students’ money and other money. At the end of the day, that just hurts our students. Because that money could have gone to other programs that could benefit them more. So, I see some hope in the fact that it’s closed right now, and then they’re working on getting a new vendor now and reshaping the system of how we get food on campus.
Food insecurity
How are you going to make sure your food security initiatives are accessible to students that need food assistance?
Armando:
We’ve worked so close with the food pantry on our campus and Kyle the student worker who oversees the food pantry is close with us as well. It starts with making sure the students know that it’s there, and we’ve also changed the typical rules. So, there’s no limit to how many times you can sign up for a box. If you need it two times a week, you can sign up for it two times a week. … The food pantry has gotten significant funds from our community and donors that really help ensure that every student has food. [Additionally,] making sure that it’s COVID friendly. Typically you could come in and do a little shopping, but now it’s all done with no contact so it’s all an application on their website.