By Dixie Reid

Noah Marty, the 2020-21 Associated Students Inc. (ASI) president, remembers how much his family relied on food bank services after his dad became disabled.

That’s why, when COVID-19 shut down ASI’s money-making programs – leading to more than $1.7 million in lost revenue – Marty was determined that Sac State students continue to get the assistance they need.

“Our priority in supporting students who struggle financially has been to keep the ASI Food Pantry open through all of this,” said Marty. “We’re trying to ensure that all of the services we have always provided to students that help with their success, both financially and academically, will still exist.”

ASI continues to offer scholarships and provide financial support to campus organizations and clubs. It recently joined forces with the Crisis Assistance and Resource Education Support (CARES) Office, which delivers emergency services to students.

It advocates on behalf of students who struggle with distance learning and has been active in campaigning to get students registered to vote in the Nov. 3 general election.

“The pandemic has caused stress and disruption in all areas of the University, and even in this virtual environment, Noah has proven to be a confident and thoughtful leader who represents the student body with poise and professionalism.”

“Noah stepped in as ASI president during an extremely challenging time for students,” said University President Robert S. Nelsen. “The pandemic has caused stress and disruption in all areas of the University, and even in this virtual environment, Noah has proven to be a confident and thoughtful leader who represents the student body with poise and professionalism.”

University Provost Steve Perez added: “Noah is really doing a great job representing a tremendously diverse and large number of talented and dedicated students. He is committed to advocating on their behalf for their needs and successes. It's a pleasure to work with him.”

Marty, 22, is a fourth-year Political Science major who grew up in Marin County’s San Geronimo Valley, where he was a community volunteer since sixth grade. His mom, Anna, is a nanny, and his dad, Aaron, worked as a chef before an inoperable spinal cord tumor left him disabled. His sister, Rachel, is a student at Humboldt State.

He chose Sacramento State because of its proximity to the State Capitol.

“I can’t think of a better place in California to be majoring in Political Science,” he said.

Marty is on track to graduate in Spring 2021 and hopes to land a job in the state legislature, where he can continue to support students through higher education policy work.

His introduction to ASI came as a freshman when he served on the Lobby Corps committee. That led to an internship in the ASI office. Later, a paid staff position as the legislative affairs coordinator allowed him to direct the organization’s advocacy and lobbying efforts. In 2019, he ran successfully for ASI’s vice president of University Affairs.

Noah Marty, right, and other ASI leaders participate in CSU Advocacy Day at the State Capitol. (Photo courtesy Noah Marty)

“And when the opportunity came this year to run for ASI president, I thought there was no better time, because there is such a need for student representation now,” he said.

His term began in May, two months after the campus closed and classes moved online because of the pandemic.

ASI immediately had to limit capacity and then ultimately shut down its Child Care Center, Peak Adventures, and the Aquatics Center, which provide revenue for the many student support services.

“Luckily, we were financially strong going into this year and in a good position before this happened,” Marty said. “We follow the same budget procedures as the University, and when Sacramento State went for a 10% cut, so did we. We passed a second version of our budget and prepared a third, because the outlook kept getting worse. It was an adjustment, and we were prepared for it.”

ASI has reopened the Aquatics Center, Child Care Center, and Peak Adventures, all with limitations.

One of the biggest challenges of operating in a virtual world that has left the campus mostly deserted is identifying student problems, Marty said. For now, there is no opportunity to set up a booth in the Library Quad and hear the individual concerns of 31,510 students.

He knows that the coronavirus has had a tremendous impact on students.

“We are learning virtually now, and a lot of students have lost their job or been forced to move home. Their concerns about academics, mental health, and food and housing insecurity aren’t going away and have been made worse by the pandemic.

“And we know that social justice issues, particularly racial justice, have been on students’ minds. ASI supports Sacramento State’s antiracism initiative.”

Marty is buoyed by Sac State’s record enrollment for Fall 2020, with 354 more Hornets on board than this time last year.  A higher number of students are moving from freshman to sophomore status, and freshmen are signing up for more credit hours.

“That speaks to Sacramento State,” he said. “In the years that I’ve been here, the perception in the community and the energy about Sacramento State is incredible. I think people are excited about the education that we provide here.”