Corey Polant is a student who has chosen to not only get involved on campus, but to become truly connected with students and faculty.
Polant is the Associated Students Vice President of University Affairs. He is a senior majoring in sociology with a minor in public administration. His involvement with A.S. began his sophomore year when was an appointee to the A.S. President’s Cabinet. As VP of University Affairs, Polant works closely with faculty and staff on just about anything that occurs on campus. Polant is also Chief Academic Advisor and works in conjunction with the college councils to advocate for each college’s needs.
Polant focused his tenure on commuter students because he did not think that San Diego State was doing all that it could to welcome and care for commuter students.
Around the time of his election, SDSU was rocked with cases of sexual assault, which led him to delegate the commuter issue to a committee and turn his focus to the problem of sexual assault.
“I think Corey is a great guy,” nursing junior and commuter student Daisy Gutierrez said. “I voted for him and have seen him around campus. I really like his plans for helping commuter students but I am grateful as a girl for his part in helping end sexual violence here at SDSU.”
Polant said he’s proud to be a part of improving safety from sexual violence on campus.
“Sexual assault is not only a problem on our campus, but on campuses around the world. Sexual assault is not only a college issue either, it is a national, international and human problem and I am proud to be trying to correct that issue.”
A.S. has created a task force whose goal is to keep the Aztec community safe and educated. Campus and community briefings have been implemented to involve and alert not only students but also the surrounding community.
“Prior to this task, as a male, I never really thought about sexual violence,” Polant said. “SDSU needs to set a standard for all students as human beings. Actions and language in reference to sexual assault will not be tolerated towards any community — gay, straight or otherwise.”
Polant works with faculty, administration andstudents, including the university senate, provost academic affairs, student issues, campus development, and the list goes on.
He has developed an incredibly broad and well-balanced network.
“Associated Students has given me the unique opportunity of working one-on-one with the incredible faculty and administration on campus,” Polant said. “Most students see the results of this work, not many have the experience of working behind the scenes.”
While Polant spends much of his time fighting the battles of students, he feels that being a student himself influences his perspective in many situations.
“Being able to advocate for students to high profile administration is the most incredible opportunity,” he said. “I have grown so much from working with such intellectual administrators and connecting with students. I can relate to their issues but I can also truly try to do something about it.”
Polant described himself as a motivator, passionate and balanced. Polant is not only involved in the administrative side of SDSU, but he is also socially involved. Prior to joining A.S., Polant was the president of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He is also a member of Rotaract.
“I am proud to be an Aztec,” Polant said. “I have friends on campuses around the nation, and when I share my experiences at SDSU it is unlike anything my friends have experienced on their campuses. The fact that I can go anywhere in San Diego and pass someone in an SDSU T-shirt shows me how integrated our university is to this major metro city. I am prideful knowing that people are committed to furthering this school’s success and that we truly are San Diego’s school.”
