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Associated Students (A.S.) of San Diego State University is an independent student-directed corporation that is one of the largest student governance organizations in the California State University system. As an affiliate of San Diego State University, the programs and facilities A.S. manages are enjoyed by students, faculty, staff and the SDSU and San Diego communities. A.S. of San Diego State University is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation.

Mission
“To support the mission of San Diego State University, we the Associated Students, create, promote and fund social, recreational, cultural, and educational programs and facilities both on campus and in the community, advocate for student interests, provide leadership opportunities and participate in shared governance.”

Vision
A.S. of SDSU is a unifying and empowering student-directed organization dedicated to serving and involving students at SDSU by enhancing the college experience that leads to a higher quality of life now and in the future.

Values
A.S. SDSU values efforts by and on behalf of students that promote the following ideals:
 * Professional Development
 * Campus Community
 * Communication
 * Advocacy
 * Shared Governance
 * Service
 * Diversity
 * Sustainability

History
San Diego State College was created by the state legislature in 1921 by the merging of the State Normal School of San Diego, which was established in 1897, with the Junior College, established in 1914. Due to separate beginnings, each organization merged along with their respective student body organizations. In order to carry out measures for the joint benefit of the two student bodies, each campus’ student executive committee had to approve and it often resulted in delay. Despite the best efforts of each, it became impossible to attain effective cooperation between the independent committees of each campus.

Sensing the need for unity among the student government bodies, a Central Committee was formed in fall 1921 to coordinate joint legislation and student programming. Although this system was effective initially, it soon proved cumbersome. During an election at the end of the school year, the students voted to completely fuse the student bodies into a single organization.

Under the name of the San Diego State College Student Body, the combined student bodies elected Wilbert Anderson as their first president for the 1922-23 school year. Following the relocation of San Diego State College to its current site and the continued growth of the student body, the Associated Students of San Diego State College were incorporated as a California non-profit corporation on March 7, 1932.

Today, Associated Students (A.S.) of San Diego State University (SDSU) is an independent student-directed corporation that provides a wide range of services and programs for SDSU students, faculty, staff, administrators, alumni, and the general public. With an operating budget of more than $20 million, Associated Students derives 25 percent of its revenues from student fees and 75 percent from revenues generated by programs it operates. A.S. of SDSU is run by five elected student executive officers and the A.S. Council, the student board of directors. A.S. employs approximately 90 full-time employees and more than 1,000 part-time employees.

Executive Officers
There are five executive officers that are responsible for the operations of the Associated Students of San Diego State University:
 * President
 * Executive Vice President
 * Vice President of External Affairs
 * Vice President of Finance
 * Vice President of University Affairs

A.S. Council
The A.S. Council is the highest decision-making organization within the student government and serves as the board of directors. In the spring, SDSU students elect council member representatives from the university’s seven colleges. The number of representatives from each college is proportional to the number of students enrolled in each college. Additionally, A.S. Council members are appointed by student organizations who hold permanent seats.

A.S. Council represents the students and manages Associated Students of SDSU as an independent corporation. Currently, there are 42 voting representatives and five executive officers on A.S. Council. A.S. of SDSU is currently studying a restructure of its organization as it relates to A.S. Council.

The A.S. Council meets at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesdays during the academic year in the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center Ballroom. Meetings are open to students, faculty, staff and the public. To request an issue be addressed by the council, a Public Comment Request must be submitted prior to the beginning of Wednesday's meeting.

Executive director
The A.S. executive director works closely to the executive officers in ensuring the operations of the corporation and student government. Dan Cornthwaite has served as the executive director of the Associated Students, one of the four auxiliaries on campus, for 29 years. Dan holds a master’s degree in college student services administration from Oregon State University. Under Cornthwaite’s direction, A.S. has grown to a $20 million not-for-profit corporation with 90 full-time employees and more than 1,000 part-time employees.

During his time as executive director, new cornerstone facilities such as the Viejas Arena (formerly known as Cox Arena), Aztec Recreation Center, SDSU Children’s Center and the Aztec Aquaplex were added to the campus landscape, with the new $100 million Aztec Student Union currently under construction with an anticipated opening date in fall 2013.

Cornthwaite has been active in professional organizations including the Association of College Unions International as well as the CSU Auxiliary Organizations Association, including service as its president in 2002. Cornthwaite will be succeeded by Christina Brown, executive director designate, upon his retirement in fall 2013.

Boards and Committees
The daily operations of A.S. of SDSU are guided by student-directed boards and committees. These legislative bodies determine the content and direction of A.S. programs and services that are provided for the students and staff at SDSU. The responsibilities of board and committee members include but are not limited to:
 * Establishing budgets
 * Improving diversity
 * Planning social and educational events
 * Recognizing faculty, students and staff achievements
 * Developing plans for the future of A.S. programs and services

College Councils
SDSU consists of seven academic colleges, each of which has its own governing student body known as a college council. College councils meet regularly throughout the semester and provide an opportunity for involvement in student advocacy as well as extracurricular activities and programs. College councils also provide advice and direction for many academic and programmatic issues in their respective college. The seven councils include:
 * Arts and Letters
 * Business Administration
 * Education
 * Engineering
 * Health and Human Services
 * Professional Studies and Fine Arts
 * Sciences

Facilities
A.S. of SDSU operates several facilities, including:
 * Aztec Aquaplex
 * Aztec Mesa (temporary facility scheduled to close upon opening of Aztec Student Union)
 * Aztec Recreation Center
 * Aztec Student Union (scheduled to open in fall 2013 )
 * Mission Bay Aquatic Center
 * Open Air Theatre
 * SDSU Children's Center
 * Viejas Arena

A.S. of SDSU also manages several on-campus facilities, including:
 * Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center
 * Scripps Cottage