Teresa Falcon, ASI Senate Vice Chair
What is your first and last name? Teresa Falcon
Age? 19
What position do you hold on ASI? I am a Senator at Large representing the housing community and this year I am serving as Senate Vice Chair.
So you’re Senate to the Vice Chair? Yes.
For how long have you had these positions? I have been a Senator at Large since last year. Almost a year now, I’d say.
And Senate to the Vice Chair for how long have you had that position? That started at the beginning of the Fall Semester, so I believe August - September.
What duties does your description/job title entail? As a Senator, I do represent my community which is housing. So I often meet with my constituents, which is often people within housing; the staff and administration of housing. And I fight for equitable housing for everyone. I make sure to listen to everyone's concerns, comments and questions and take them to people that can do something with that. And also just in general I am here to support students. I think students are the biggest part of campus. Yeah, it’s something I’ve been really passionate about. As Vice Chair I am just supporting my fellow Senators as well. A lot of Senate is new, so we are all learning how to come back in person and stuff. And yeah, that’s kind of a little bit about my roles and responsibilities.
Teresa Falcon receiving flowers at a board meeting. Photo Credits: Teresa Falcon
How has holding this position affected you? Or how do you see it affecting your near future? Just with being in student government. I think I have learned a lot. I'd say, positively change…I feel like it’s been able to positively affect me. Because I'm more aware about things and issues occurring on campus. I’m able to talk with a lot of faculty representation and hear about their stories, about their life, and how they’re passionate, you know, about helping the students; that’s why they’re here. And I think that’s really driven me to work harder. In the future, I hope I continue. You know, no one knows what their plans are in the future, but I do hope I can continue with student government. And it’s been such a great way for me to make positive change and I want to continue doing that.
What inspired you to go after these roles? I’d say that at the beginning I joined student government mostly because I wanted a way to meet more people. It was mostly virtual or hybrid, so I didn’t really get that connection with others. But once I did Beach Team, before I started, I would call it the pre-student government club. Once I got exposed to student government and stuff, I really did like the values they stood for and in the past, they have really advocated for student rights. A lot of projects and events that they've had are in benefit for the students. So I really wanted to have a way to help me-all of us-would benefit from it. That’s the biggest part. I think I joined in second semester, the fall, and I’ve been really loving what I am doing and I would not take it back.
What is your major and expected year of graduation? I am a psychology major and I expect to graduate in the Spring of 2025.
What connection do you have to the Latinx community? I am a Mexican American woman. I say I am proud of my Latinx background and being a part of this community. It really defines a big part of my life.
Do you see CSULB or ASI hold space for Latinx people? I think Cal State Long Beach has really done a good job so far to unite the cultural communities on campus. For example, we just had the cultural welcomes and that brought more than 500 students together and they were, you know, appreciating other communities. They as a university were able to showcase other student orgs and give the students connections throughout these communities. I also had the opportunity to attend all of these and I’d say, I feel like more with the community, not just with the Latinx, but with other organizations on campus. And of course, I know our school is always trying to improve and spotlight different communities. We have student orgs taking initiatives and creating that welcoming environment for students to come in and learn more about their culture and appreciate others. I am a part of the Latinx Student Union Executive Board and I am proud to say we are always striving to create that community sense with Latinx orgs [organizations] on campus.
What (issues) can people come to you with? There are a lot of issues that are on campus. As a student leader, I listen to anything and everything; I really want to take every student's concerns into consideration. I have met with student leaders from other branches and stuff. We all have that same mentality where students come first and through this, if something has happened and you don’t feel comfortable. You can tell us. And we will find a way to work through that. If it's like with a teacher, if it’s with a faculty or if it's with another student or if it's with a lack of representation or something. If you want another resource, we always are here to listen to students. And we want to give, We want this to be the best college experience. If you feel like we, if there may be somewhere there could be room for improvement. Then we want to improve.
So far, during your attendance here at Long Beach, what has been your favorite Latinx event? Ooo, that’s hard, they have all been amazing. I feel like each one has its unique reason why I really did like it. Last year I did attend the Cultural Welcome. It was in front of the USU, in that little lawn area. And it was amazing. But my favorite by far has to be last year, they had the F.U.E.L. UndocU conference and it was a way for students to network and learn about the undocumented community. And I think it's such a vital, vital thing in our campus and our climate. Showcasing these communities of people who may not be favored by the system and really provide support for them. And I learned a lot. I connected with a lot of people. It has been the most significant one and my favorite.
Are there any events or resources you would like students to know about? I think we have a lot of amazing resources on campus. You know, we are always trying to expand more, but with the current ones, I do want to highlight that we have the RAZA Resource Center, which is again, something for our community, all these student orgs on campus. Latinx or not Latinx, they are for your interest, you know if you want to be a part of a Latinx community you are able to create that community sense. I think that would be important for college. But also, we do have the Hispanic Heritage month. It’s almost heading towards its end. But this month we have been highlighting the Latinx community. We’ve been able to really highlight each and every member within this community. We are encouraging students to participate, if they’re Latinx or not just to really learn about our community. It’s really amazing, we have a variety amount of resources, not just with the community-wise but also just in general. Of course, I do want to highlight Basic Needs - I think that’s important. Even from this community, a lot of students do struggle with food and housing insecurity, so I want to provide that reminder, there is always help if you need it and we are here to support you.
What is the best way to reach out to you if a student has a housing concern or anything along the lines that you mentioned? I am always available through email, I believe through the ASI website. I don't know if it's the updated one yet, but once they do update the website through student government, you’ll be able to get all my contact information there. And that’s the easiest way, shoot an email, tell me what your comment, concern, question is. And I will, at the best of my abilities, try and help. And if I don’t know the answer, I will connect you with someone who does know the answer.
Photo Credits: Teresa Falcon
