This spring semester, Progressive Alliance (PA), which is an alliance consisting of the majority of the progressive clubs, made its debut. PA promotes inclusion, diversity and a strong stand against hatred and bigotry. The idea of such alliance was inspired by the lack of unity “progressive” clubs have on the California State University, Stanislaus (Stan State), Campus.
PA’s purpose is not only to unite clubs on campus, but also to allow a place for clubs to have an equal opportunity to have a voice. Anyone is welcome to join PA, but much like the House of Representatives, PA’s constitution calls for representatives from clubs to vote on matters pertaining to the alliance.
Adam Webber (junior, Political Science) thought about the creation of PA a few months ago, a little after the presidential election of last November.
Jason Serang (junior, Political Science) is the President of the Democrat Party Club at Stan State. He helped PA get started by finding out when and where clubs were meeting and presenting this idea to each of Stan State’s clubs.  
“I realized that although we all have different groups we all have the same intent in the greater humanity of every club [at Stan State],” Said Serang. “It’s a good way to get more people involved in the activities clubs are hosting.”
Webber is also the Vice President of the Democratic Party Club, and says that since the election there has been an emphasis of division coming from the President of the United States. In order to fight back, this club’s purpose is to make sure other clubs are being treated equally by each other and by the Stan State Admin.
The constitution of PA states that its purpose is to, “[…] Promote greater integration between the ethnic, social and political organizations on campus–to Create a support network that can lend a hand in club activities–to stand up for human rights and progressive values whenever one group is targeted.”
Webber says that given the school’s past history of favoring more conservative traditions, there had to be a coalition that worked toward maintaining strong relationships and communication among other clubs.   
“We want people to feel that progressive ideas are welcome [here]—we want an alliance that is able to protect the progressive progress the campus [already] made,” Webber added.
As a physically disabled student, Webber is able to relate on not having his needs taken into consideration when policy and legislation are being implemented.
“Due to belonging to an underrepresented population [comes with] feeling unable to relate to the majority of the politics or position of the school,” Webber expressed.
Webber explains that not having adequate building access for students in wheelchairs has been a major issue on Stan State, making it increasingly difficult for these students to get to class.
He also hopes that attention is focused on building access issues as well as diversity and inclusivity issues that the campus may need to address in the upcoming months.
The clubs that are involved with the creation of PA are:

• Democratic Party Club
• Love Evolution
• Black Student Union (BSU)
• Movimiento Estudiantil Chicanx de Aztlán (MEChA)
• Muslim Student Association (MSA)
• Asian Pacific Islander
• Feminist Equality
• Students for Quality Education (SQE)
• Club de Español InterLatin@s

Founding member of PA, Larsa Shabbaz (senior, Biology), says that she found out about PA through the Feminist Equality club President. Shabbaz says she is excited about being the representative for the Feminist Equality club because she believes her views are in line with what the club stands for.
“Diminishing the separation [between clubs] helps promote human rights and progressive ideas,” said Shabbaz.
Esme Nasher (junior, Sociology) is another founding member and a representative from Students for Quality Education (SQE). Nasher says that PA embodies everything that SQE stands for.
“[I am] hoping to get PA involved with SQE to bring the students awareness about the board of trustees proposed tuition increase. The Board is set to meet during spring break to talk about the vote,” said Nasher
PA meets every other Thursday at 5 p.m. in P100 in Demergasso-Bava Hall (DBH). Their next meeting is March 16th, and for more information about PA email Jason Serang.