The 76th cohort of Associated Students executives and senators were sworn into office at the May 22 senate meeting. As the 75th Senate came closer to dissolving, tensions began arising as allegations of racism, antisemitism and corruption took up senators’ final reports.
The 75th Associated Students senate meeting convened at 6:30 p.m., beginning with public comment, transitioning into old and new business, followed by Senator Reports. Shengyu Zhang / Daily Nexus
The 75th Associated Students (A.S.) senate meeting convened at its regular start time of 6:30 p.m. in the Loma Pelona Center. The meeting began with a brief public comment, transitioning into a closed session discussing rollover funds, followed by old and new business.
Senators fourth-year Black studies major Alexa Butler and second-year biology and political science double major Eemaan Wahidullah presented a resolution to support the Black Heritage Cultural Experience, which was tabled at the previous senate meeting since the meeting didn’t meet the sufficient quorum to begin. The resolution would create a subaccount of the High Impact Project (H.I.P.) fund to allow A.S. entities to allocate funds to H.I.P.
The resolution would have secured funding for the Black Heritage Cultural Experience, a 10-day trip through southern states in the United States, visiting historical sites relevant to civil rights. Butler expressed frustration at the tabling of the resolutions and said “most of the legislation” from the previous meeting deserved discussion.
“There’s a lot of important things and now it’s being pushed to an hour-long conversation, and it’s more deserving of a rushed thought, everything that’s on the legislation today,” Butler said.
Senator fourth-year economics and communication double major Taylor Iden and Internal Vice President (IVP)-elect and third-year history and global studies double major Enri Lala both proposed tabling the resolution for the next Senate, due to a lack of sufficient time to discuss the resolution.
“I fully agree with you that this warrants a lot more discussion, and I’d be more [than] happy to facilitate that in the next Senate. [Butler] could give a full report, collaborate with senators on there if [she thinks] that’s the best way to go,” Lala said.
Butler responded by pointing out these resolutions have been “on several different agendas” and therefore wanted to continue the discussion. The resolution got moved to discussion items by Internal Vice President and fourth-year art major Açúcar Pinto, as Senator and third-year computer science major Aryaman Singh had a question regarding the resolution.
Lala and second-year global studies major Leah Khorsandi presented “A Resolution to Enforce Transition Document Requirements for ASUCSB Executive and Legislative Offices,” enforcing a transition document where each senator would have to give “transitional reports” documenting their accomplishments, project reports and contact information. The resolution passed unanimously.
Lala and Wahidullah presented “A Bill to Reinvigorate the ASUCSB Senate Outreach Committee,” which would expand and clarify the duties of the Outreach Committee by improving social media presence and increasing their support for other Boards, Committees and Units (BCUs). The bill passed in a 21-0-1 vote.
Butler and third-year political science major Alejandra Martinez brought forward “A Bill to Amend the A.S. Raíces de mi Tierra Legal Code” to amend A.S. By-Laws to formally recognize Raíces de mi Tierra as a BCU under A.S., which passed in a 18-0-3 vote.
As the 75th Senate moved into discussion items, Butler began expressing frustration against tabling the resolution regarding funding towards the Black Heritage Cultural Experience, saying while she understands Lala’s point of tabling it to the next Senate, she will not be present.
“My voice will not be present at the next Senate, I will not be a senator anymore … so it’s frustrating to be put in a pickle to have to make this decision, when all of this discussion could have happened last week, needed to happen last week, and did not happen last week,” Butler said.
Butler then began calling the Senate a historically “anti-Black” space, saying that “extreme changes” would need to be made by the 76th Senate.
“The Senate doesn’t respect Black people, after so many times of [Pinto] having to remind you all to close your fucking computers and be respectful, as if this isn’t a discussion that we’ve had all year,” she said.
She then said her experience on Black Heritage Cultural Experience was the most “life-changing experience” she’s had on campus and is disappointed that she will be unable to have a say in granting them more funding.
“I have to make a decision that I’m putting the 76th Senate before Black students, that’s what you’re all asking me to do,” Butler said. “And that’s so fucking disrespectful, but I’m going to do it anyways, because that’s the type of leader I am … So yes, let’s not talk about Black students anymore. Let’s have everyone get sworn in and let future leaders and future people who care about the community not have a say about it anymore. I yield.”
Butler then left the building, and the motion was tabled indefinitely. Pinto then became emotional, expressing frustrations towards their treatment in the Senate this year.
“It is not okay the way that we treat Black queer people on this campus. It’s not okay the level of disrespect that we give to marginalized students overall, the way that we demonize Muslim students on this campus. Internalize this deeply, and understand that you are stepping into a system that is outright white supremacist and every single time we have tried to change something, we are met with so many more barriers,” Pinto said.
The Senate then moved into Senator Reports, which began with Senator and fourth-year political science major Paolo Brinderson giving a report alleging corruption within A.S. and the Judicial Council (JC). He said that, similar to the United States Supreme Court, the JC is “extremely undemocratic” and employs this year’s elected officials to “bring democracy” to the JC.
Former A.S. presidential candidate and third-year political science and philosophy double major Dan Siddiqui was disqualified from the Spring General Election after being charged with three counts of Membership Rights violations and one count of Abuse of Power in a JC case.
“Most of you were elected by the student body, while our new president was just elected by four members of the body, the Judicial Council,” Brinderson said.
Brinderson urged new elected officials to follow their interests and that they may “face roadblocks,” which will make them prioritize making A.S. satisfied rather than the student body. Brinderson recommends fighting the urge to please the institution rather than the student body.
“I recommend you to fight this urge with all your might. Work with your fellow senators. It’s okay that you share common goals with some of them and not with others. Just don’t make a group chat with them if you’re a majority,” Brinderson said. “I recommend [the 76th Senate] to organize coalitions to bring these roadblocks to the light and organize coalitions to tear them down.”
According to KCSB-FM, JC Chair and third-year political science major Krishna Thaker “categorically den[ied]” the idea of the JC electing third-year global studies, communication and Spanish triple major Le Anh Metzger through disqualifying Siddiqui.
Senator and fourth-year political science and economics double major MingJun Zha gave a brief report urging people to learn more about the JC.
Senator and second-year biology major Dalia Gerson then gave a report reflecting on her time within the association, including her experiences with antisemitism within the association.
“This past year, I was discriminated against, bullied and treated unfairly by my fellow senators and [executives],” Gerson said. “As much as you hoped we would get so frustrated with your lack of communication and unfair treatment that we would quit Senate, we didn’t. Instead, we showed you how much your petty antisemitic comments, laughing at us when we talk and disrespecting us, couldn’t break us.”
Senator and third-year political science major Yasmine Suuck then gave a report on why she became a senator after being encouraged to join by previous senators. She advised the 76th Senate to reach out to committees and to encourage other people to get involved.
“I really enjoyed my time here,” Suuck said. “My committee work meant so much, and I’m really excited to see you guys sworn in and all the amazing work you do.”
Singh discussed what he thinks the Senate should have focused on, which was “actually helping the student body.” He discussed the Rent Support Program, which is a program where Isla Vista residents can apply for a temporary grant if they’re facing eviction. He also discussed implementing satellite communication towers in I.V.
“This year, we spent a lot [and] still are spending a lot on interpersonal conflicts, which I regret us doing,” Singh said.
Senator and fourth-year sociology major Jasmine Amin began giving a report echoing the remarks of Gerson by addressing antisemitism within the Senate. Amin said “everytime she spoke” she received glances and other forms of disrespect, such as her ideas receiving “pushback” even by people who “privately agreed with [her].”
“I am a proud Persian Jew raised by strong and resilient immigrants who taught me to be loud in rooms like this one … a room of peers who laughed when a senator proudly, proudly announced that my face was covered by a poster in the [University Center]. A room where the chair of the Senate, a person who was supposed to be impartial, boasted about how the people that covered my face must have hated me just as much as them,” Amin said.
Pinto then claimed they “never said that” and called a point of order for Amin “spreading something that is misinformation.”
Amin concluded by urging the 76th Senate to ensure people in “every single leadership position feel safe.”
Iden then gave a report discussing Siddiqui’s disqualification from the presidential race, saying “he publicly declared innocence in the Daily Nexus, calling the trial a political attack.” He then said Siddiqui requested his “hearing and all evidence remained private” and argued if Siddiqui is claiming his process was unfair, he should release the full evidence “so students can be the judge for themselves.”
At 10:39 p.m., the motion by Singh to dissolve the 75th Senate was passed.
The 76th cohort of A.S. executives and senators were then sworn into office by 2024-25 External Vice President for Local Affairs (EVPLA) and fourth-year history of public policy and law major Owen Meyers.
New A.S. President Metzger was the first to be sworn in. Following this, Pinto was asked if they wanted to swear in IVP Lala, in which Pinto responded that they would not, and left the room yelling, “Free fucking Palestine, free Sudan. Don’t be complicit or complacent.”
This left Meyers as the only A.S. executive to swear in Lala, EVPLA and second-year political science major E.J. Raad, External Vice President for Statewide Affairs (EVPSA) and fourth-year psychological & brain sciences major Leiya Kadah and Student Advocate General (S.A.G.) and third-year psychological & brain sciences major Sydney Bivins.
Former EVPLA Owen Meyers swearing in current IVP Enri Lala. Shengyu Zhang / Daily Nexus
Lala then swore in the new senators and began the first meeting of the 76th Senate, starting with a motion by Senator and first-year chemistry major Nadine Malhis to bundle and approve all appointments on the agenda, which was passed.
The meeting then opened up to public comment, the first being from former 2023-24 Senator, First President Pro-Tempore and third-year computer science major Ephraim Shalunov who warned the new Senate of forming factions. Iden then made a public comment telling the new senators to have open communication with one another to avoid conflicts, and urged them to reach out to him as a resource for the Senate.
Wahidullah motioned to pass Standing Rules of the 76th ASUCSB Senate, which was approved by a hand vote.
Senator and second-year economics and philosophy double major Noah Luken motioned to consider the transitional period following the A.S. 2025 Spring General Election and, with the consent of Metzger, extend the term of all BCU officers of the Association to the end of Spring Quarter 2025, unless a replacement is nominated and approved for their position for the 2025-26 academic year. This motion unanimously passed.
Malhis then motioned to extend the term of 75th Senate Finance Committee members to the end of Spring Quarter 2025 to update A.S. Financial Policies & Procedures and facilitate financial functions, which was passed unanimously.
Lala then echoed the concerns of factions that had been brought up, saying, “We have no reason to be forming factions. Our duties are extremely simple. The objectives in front of us are as difficult as they are simple. There is no reason to recreate the dysfunction we have seen for years now, and I believe we can move right past that.”
The Senate then adjourned the meeting at 11:49 p.m.
A version of this article appeared on p.3 of the May 29, 2025 edition of the Daily Nexus.
Butler is a psychotic narcissist. thank god that woke person is no longer in the AS Senate