STUDENT FEE INITIATIVE COMMITTEE APPLICATION

(CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING)

Please type your information into the application below and return by e-mail to aesincla@calpoly.edu

DUE: 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 1, 2014

The application, as filled out by each applicant, will be made available to all CE/ENVE students via email
and in paper form in the department office beginning Monday, October 6, 2014. Voting by the CE/ENVE
student body will take place via Survey Monkey from Monday, October 6 through Friday, October 10.

Name: Erik Pinuelas
Year in School: 4
th
Year Expected Graduation Date: June, 2016

1. Are you currently on the CE/ENVE SFI Committee?
No, not currently

2. In 3 to 5 sentences explain why you are interested in the position.
I am interested in the committee due to my academic concentration of making big things
happen. The world relies on the students of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo to assume the
responsibilities of those innovators, decision makers, engineers, leaders that precede us. To
pull my weight on this grander scale I must learn how to lead and assert myself. My position
on this committee will give voice for all those who want their student fee investment used
wisely.

3. Generally the committee meets twice a month from 11 to 12 on Thursdays. In cases where there
are a lot of proposals, the committee meets as often as needed to achieve its goals. Please list the
nature of other commitments you will have next year that might impact your availability at the
meeting time (e.g. work hours, academic units, club responsibilities, sorority/fraternity, co-ops,
study abroad, etc.). Give an approximate unit load number you will be taking per quarter.
My commitments are as follows:
15 Academic Units
Solar Cal Poly, Construction Manager
Poly Ponics, Club Resource

4. Please list previous experience that will help you with the nature of a committee position.
I have extensive professional experience having worked with Kittelson and Associates, Inc.
and Project Management Advisors, Inc. as a Transportation Engineering Intern and Project
Management Intern, respectively. These internships taught me analytical skills, fiscal
responsibility, and investor representation as well as lend perspective to my role within
financial decisions.

5. List one strength and a weakness that might be applicable to this position.
I have an incredible capacity for viewing other peoples perspectives and arriving to an
intelligent decision. The weaknesses I bring with me are those that I choose. I will strive to
deliver the high performance and driven leader that I am.

6. Proposals submitted to this committee range from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of
dollars. What do you believe are the most important factors to consider when choosing what
proposals to accept?
This position requires one to work at 30,000 feet i.e. understand the bigger picture. I have
lent value to multi-million dollar investment decisions and am no stranger to high-stakes
decision making. Assessing a proposals credibility, understanding community sentiment,
and allocating finances sustainably are the most important factors when deciding to accept a
proposal.

7. In some cases, the department may request SFI funds in order to keep the level of class offerings
at a level that allows people to graduate on time. What are your views on this and how will you
balance the needs of the department versus the needs of the clubs and the needs of individual or
groups of students?
The department has the best interest of the students at heart and will continue to do so in the
future. Decisions must be made to ensure the financial stability and strength of our Civil
Engineering program, this much is clear. Striking a balance between the distinct parties that
are interested in the Student Fee Funds will be achieved by keeping this sentiment at heart
when making difficult and at times austere decisions.