Thursday, 7 May 2026
Written by Khalid Albazi, Student Government Chief Diversity Officer
Student government exists for a simple reason: to make sure students are heard and that what they say leads to action. At Associated Students, Inc. (ASI), that responsibility sits at the center of everything we do. We represent every student at Long Beach State University (LBSU) advocating for policy changes, resources and improvements across campus. But effective advocacy depends on one thing above all else: knowing what students are actually experiencing.
So this year, instead of guessing, we asked.
The Idea Behind Student Voice BoxThe Student Voice Box initiative began with a simple observation: students have a lot to say, but not always an easy way to say it. Not everyone feels comfortable attending meetings or sending formal emails, and too often, concerns never reach the people who can address them.
Student Voice Box was designed to change that.
The goal was to lower barriers, meet students where they are and collect honest, unfiltered feedback about life on campus. Each ASI student leader had the option to create and carry a personalized feedback box throughout the year. These boxes appeared everywhere that student leaders were. Tabling events, campus gatherings, organization meetings and inside the ASI office itself.
Students could write anything on a comment card, and drop it in anonymously. No names, no pressure. Just real experiences.
What You SharedBy the end of the initiative, 904 students had submitted feedback.
That number represents more than participation. It reflects nearly a thousand individual experiences—moments of frustration, ideas for improvement and insights into what it means to be a student at Long Beach State right now.
As we reviewed every single card, clear patterns emerged. Across majors, class years and lived experiences, students kept returning to the same concerns.
Those patterns became our roadmap.
What We Heard—and What We Did Parking (18% of feedback)Parking was the most common concern raised. Students described high permit costs, overcrowded lots and the daily uncertainty of whether a spot would be available at all. This was especially pressing for commuters, whose day often begins with this challenge.
What students said:
- "Parking is a bit of a hassle this semester."
- "We need better parking for students."
- "Parking is too expensive."
What ASI did:
- Drafted, reviewed and voted on multiple Senate resolutions addressing student parking concerns.
- Advocated for policy changes in meetings with campus administrators and Parking & Transportation staff.
- Assessed the feasibility of reinstating free or reduced-cost public transportation passes.
Students consistently pointed to affordability, accessibility and variety as key concerns when it comes to campus dining. Many noted the difficulty of finding healthy or convenient options between classes.
What students said:
- "I would like to have more variety/cheaper food options."
- "Where is the healthy food tho?"
- "Perhaps more free food resources."
What ASI did:
- Expanded access to food resources, including additional pantry locations and a mobile food pantry.
- Launched a regional initiative connecting students to food banks across Los Angeles and Orange County.
- Partnered with vendors to explore smaller, more affordable meal options.
Students made it clear: finding a place to sit, study or simply pause during the day is harder than it should be.
What students said:
- "A challenge I face on campus is finding a place to sit."
- "I wish there were more outdoor hangout spots."
- "Have more study areas."
What ASI did:
- Added nearly 150 new seats across campus, including high-traffic areas near academic buildings and dining locations.
- Prioritized spaces that support both study and rest, helping students feel more at home on campus.
With major campus construction underway, students described increased noise, navigation challenges and a disruption to the sense of community.
What students said:
- "Construction makes routes have smaller walkways."
- "Too much construction all at once."
- "The construction is so inconvenient."
What ASI did:
- Hosted construction tours to give students a clearer sense of what is being built and why.
- Expanded campus programming to maintain connection and community during the transition.
- Supported large-scale events like Home at The Beach and Culture Fest to sustain campus life.
Student government without student input is just decision-making in isolation. The feedback collected through Student Voice Box transformed individual concerns into collective priorities.
Every action taken this year—from adding seating to expanding food resources—began with something a student wrote down.
Your voice provides the evidence needed to advocate effectively. It strengthens conversations with university leadership, shapes policy discussions and ensures accountability. Most importantly, it keeps the focus where it belongs: on students.
What Comes NextStudent Voice Box will continue next year—because the need to listen does not disappear.
Looking ahead, ASI plans to expand the initiative by:
- Launching a digital platform for 24/7 feedback submission.
- Placing physical Voice Boxes in student spaces across campus.
- Increase accessibility so every student has a direct line to student government.
Nine hundred and four comment cards. Nearly a thousand students chose to speak up.
That is what this initiative represents.
It is a reminder that student government is not defined by titles or meetings, but by responsiveness—by listening, acting and following through.
We will keep listening.
We will keep advocating.
And we will keep showing up for every student at The Beach.
