Another day at the office
By Ben Keller | March 2, 2009
Post classifiedsASI staff members say they work in ‘fun environment’
The Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) office is covered wall to wall with Bulldog paraphernalia, half-empty boxes and piles of paper. On the floor just outside President Graham Wahlberg’s office sit dozens of sheets of paper that make up the distinct image of a football player sprawling downfield, a piece of décor he plans on posting up on the wall right above his green futon.
It’s the hub of official business for student government, but it’s also the laid-back scene of school spirit, good friends and even a few laughs.
“It’s a fun environment, but it’s usually at my expense,” Wahlberg said, smiling as a few ASI members crack jokes about him from a distance.
Besides a good spirit, he brings his passion for athletics to the office. He doesn’t play for Fresno State, but he rarely misses a Bulldog basketball game.
The dorms on campus may be his current residence, but his home at heart is in the great outdoors. On school breaks, he satisfies the mountain man in him by fishing or tagging along with the hunting club his grandfather belongs to.
“I grew up on the outskirts of Fresno and I’ve always done that kind of stuff,” he said.
Wahlberg regrets not being able spend more time doing the things he loves, like skiing. He jokes that the fact he hasn’t been injured on the slopes is perhaps a testament that he’s not trying hard enough.
Not everyone in ASI is so active.
Senate Secretary Alex Andreotti enjoys being around friends and family, but in her spare time, she’s really just a homebody.
“I’ve taken an interest in scrapbooking over the summer,” Andreotti said. Her love of pictures is evident on her Facebook account, where dozens of photos chronicle close friends and significant events like ASI’s summer retreat to Disneyland.
“We’re a pretty tight-knit group,” she said of her companions in student government. Whether as secretary or advancing to an executive position, the sophomore looks forward to serving in ASI for the remainder of her college career.
Vice President of Finance Lauren Johnson shares a similar affinity with the ASI team.
Tucked in the back corner of ASI office with Director of University Affairs Tara Powers-Mead, Johnson agrees that she and Powers-Mead are both a little on the nerdy side.
Johnson enjoys reading her pocket constitution while Powers-Mead deduces the hidden diseases hinted at in her favorite TV show, “House.”
“Being together so much, working together all the time, you end up being really close to these people,” Johnson said.
Besides being the “conservative pocket” of ASI, she said she’s even more unique in hertaste in music, which includes bands like Def Leppard, the Cars and the morning jazz programs on the campus station, 90.7 KFSR-FM.
“It’s an acquired taste,” she said of the jazz preference.
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ok, I am starting to believe what the “Anonymous Senator” wrote as a comment about Graham and the ASI executives having the collegian in their pocket. I don’t know if its racism, I dont think it is, but, this article seems like the pr person for ASI wrote it.
I looked back at the ASI coverage last year, with the editorial that the staff wrote, and they way they covered it, they didnt seem to be fans of asi, whats changed this year?
Is ASI using funds to take writers to lunch? Gift baskets? The collegian is not even trying to cover up its bias. Was it a package deal? Write one article that’s kinda bad, no photos, real brief, then follow up with a story about how great everything is?
These are legitimate questions, and students have the right to know why the collegian is suddenly so close with ASI. How often does the staff meet with executives and is it professional only? Are there potential conflicts of interest?
The Collegian’s staff receives nothing from ASI, officially or unofficially.
This was not intended to show “how great everything is,” but to be a peek behind the scenes in an organization most students never have personal interaction with.
Out of curiosity, what photos would you like to see run with ASI stories?
I could care less about these schmucks. They are simply students who go to an office and make some unessential decisions about the campus for three hours a week. And the ones who weren’t elected were probably hand-picked by Welty and his shady entourage.
Well, I wouldn’t say that Graham comes to the office with “good spirit” as he often is an asshole and a jackass to those he works with. Hell, even the administrators think he’s a jerk.
And this Alex girl…isn’t she the one who threw cake all over the hotel room during the retreat? Speaking of which, whatever happened the Senators (I think it was Ezra?) that were also involved in the drinking? Nothing?
Speaking of senators, Im curious of how many senators have quit under Graham? Interesting there are no quotes from senators.
Senators don’t have physical offices, which may mean that there were not any around at the time our reporter was there.
Wow. Judging by the content in the responses, it seems like there are several people who actually seem to care about what ASI is doing. Here’s a grand idea: if you think that you could do a better job, why don’t you get involved. Join a committee, gain some recognition, and then run for an office. And to answer the question that is probably present in your mind right now as you are reading this, no I’m not part of ASI, so I’m not speaking on their behalf. I just happen to be a close friend of a senator and I can tell you that your comments regarding them on the Collegian’s webpages do nothing but give them their daily laugh. So if you have that big of a concern with the way ASI is operating, do something about it other than complaining here. If your intentions are only to humor these members, as well as myself, keep up the good work.
So my guess is KP is either Graham’s close friend, or a close friend of Ezra’s or someone else who got away scotch free with the drinking at the ASI retreat.
So Graham’s in hot water for having a couple beers in the fridge. I know it’s supposed to be a drug free campus or whatever, but what’s the big deal
You are such an amazing writer. ~no sarcasm~ just plain truth ♥
You know, “covered wall to wall with Bulldog paraphernalia, half-empty beer bottles and piles of beer cans” sounds about like the student prezzy’s dorm!
Wow! I glad to see that I have gained so much respect that people are now replying to my comments using the name “KPDumbAss.” It’s such a privilege to have achieved that honor. KPDumbAss, you basically proved my point that people spend too much time complaining about issues and not actually doing anything to make it better. In response to your guess about who I am good friends with, it is neither Graham nor Ezra. I don’t even know either of the two. As for the alcohol issue, I really don’t give a crap about it, but apparently you seem to be concerned about it so let me ask you this, “What the hell are you doing about it other than making yourself look like on idiot by posting stupid comments on here?” Like I originally said, if it’s that big of a deal, get out there and do something about it. I honestly believe that your complaints here are not accomplishing anything good.
I hope Graham would give a statement on this issue. What do you think?