Cal Poly students have chosen Tanner Schinderle as ASI President for the 2026–27 academic year, handing him a mandate to tackle rising student costs and lead during a period of major institutional change. His victory arrives as the university prepares to convert to semesters and formally integrate the new Solano campus—challenges that will expand the president’s duties immediately.
Schinderle, a political science junior who has served as ASI chief of staff, won handily with 4,103 votes to 269 for opponent Caleb Shick, a business administration junior. The new term begins on the last day of the spring quarter, and Schinderle will assume full responsibilities July 1 when representation of the Solano campus begins.
Throughout the campaign he leaned on his two years inside the ASI executive team, pointing to programs he helped launch as examples of tangible results. Most prominent among those is the Grocery Shuttle, a student transit service that provided more than 4,400 rides during Winter Quarter, which Schinderle cited as proof of his operational experience and follow-through.
Echols returns Polston donation amid grand jury fallout
Devon Energy relocates headquarters to Houston: big loss for Oklahoma City’s economy
Schinderle ran on a four-part platform he summarized as affordable living, expanded campus services, stronger student community, and direct student input in university decisions. Below are the concrete measures he has proposed under each pillar:
- Affordability — Expand the campus rental registry and introduce a property rating system to give students clearer information about off-campus housing. Schinderle is coordinating with ASI communications officers who helped pass a rental registry resolution in March.
- Resources — Create more 24/7 study environments beyond the two floors currently available in the library and add shuttle routes for weekend beach trips and airport runs during academic breaks.
- Community — Support the more than 300 student clubs through the semester transition, smoothing budget, scheduling and recognition processes so organizations face fewer disruptions.
- Action — Bring club leaders and athletic representatives into regular conversations with administrators to ensure student perspectives shape policy decisions.
Those priorities will be tested immediately. ASI officials say there is no established blueprint for bringing the Solano campus into ASI governance, meaning Schinderle will need to spend significant time traveling between San Luis Obispo and Solano to understand local needs and culture.
The looming semester conversion adds another layer of urgency. Student government will be expected to support clubs, academic services and student life through a timeline compressed into the summer months—work that past ASI leaders did not face on the same scale.
Schinderle framed his candidacy around delivering measurable benefits, arguing that prior operational roles give him a head start on implementation rather than just promises on paper. Campaign advisers say early cooperation with other ASI officers should help translate several proposals into action quickly.
Cal Poly’s student government will now pivot from an election season into a heavy planning phase, with the new president balancing on-campus projects and the practicalities of integrating a new campus community. Observers will be watching how quickly campaign proposals move from concept to functioning services.
This article was updated to include official vote totals.
