Shulman worthy of endorsement, votes
The Daily Bruin missed an opportunity to endorse the strongest internal vice presidential candidate with actual student-organization experience. When voting in this week’s Undergraduate Students Association Council elections, Evan Shulman should be your first choice for internal vice president.
From serving as a program director for UniCamp to a resident and programming assistant on the Hill and working with the Coalition for Peace and Students for a Democratic Society, Shulman has the experience and relationships necessary to unite this campus.
To continue his advocacy work on environmental issues, Shulman will advocate for a green and sustainable cooperative housing option. He also plans on working with Students First! Facilities commissioner candidate Galen Roth to bring a free recycling program to Westwood, making it easier for students to participate in sustainable practices.
In addition to bringing leadership and organization training sessions to campus, Shulman will expand student media outlets and affordable ad space for student organizations ““ ensuring students are aware of the plasma screen ads you can place in Ackerman Union and making Daily Bruin TV and UCLA Radio more widespread.
Although some of his goals are ambitious they are still “tangible” and “feasible.” He also recognizes that these goals require more work but has the passion and commitment to take them on. Above all, Shulman’s goals show that he has an understanding of the potential the office has and wants to do more than simply program.
In addition to providing student organizations the resources they need to program, he will empower student organizations to take ownership of their student government and work with him on creating positive change in the office that the campus needs.
As a former USAC internal vice president, I would like to see Shulman return the office to one of advocacy and programming that serves all students.
Gregory Cendaña
2006-2007 USAC internal vice president, Students First! campaign manager
Gonzalez more than qualified for job
Natalie Gonzalez is, without a doubt, one of the most qualified candidates for the position of general representative in this year’s USAC election ““ a fact recognized by current and past USAC council members, Office of Residential Life staff, and leaders of many student organizations. Unfortunately, the Daily Bruin Editorial Board overlooked her candidacy with some rather hasty arguments and did not recognize Gonzalez’ impressive impact on this campus. Her unmatched experience includes her work with the community service-based group Team Up!, the Dance Marathon Residential Life committee, the USAC external vice president’s Election INVASION Committee and a current USAC general representative office.
Throughout the past three years, Gonzalez has remained dedicated to improving the quality of life here at UCLA. Her position as a resident assistant in Dykstra Hall exemplifies her commitment to enhance student life, and her experience as office director in the current General Representative 1 Office affords her knowledge of the inner workings of USAC ““ from programming to advocacy.
Gonzalez’ wide variety of experiences throughout UCLA’s diverse community has exposed her to an equally diverse variety of student needs, ranging from social justice to student fees. She is more than prepared to address them creatively through BruinPerk$, transparency in on-campus housing budget allocations, Bruin Revolution Social Action Summit and the newly implemented Bruin Alternative Spring Break program.
Constantly determined to reach out to students from all walks of life in order to understand and address the issues that affect them most, she has proven to be the essence of the general representative position, and then some. Natalie Gonzalez is a proven leader and would make a positive impact as a general representative next year.
Michelle Lyon, USAC general representative
Courtney Alev, Dance Marathon at UCLA Steering Committee
Jose Iniguez, USAC external vice president office’s Election INVASION assistant director,Team Up! executive director
Chacon has great ideas for UCLA
The decision not to endorse Gilberto Chacon as general representative was an oversight of the editorial board. Chacon has some really great ideas that are crucial to getting students more engaged in their college experience here at UCLA. His Bruin Expressions project is really unique to UCLA and would provide every single student an avenue to express what they are truly passionate about while sharing their experience with the student body.
Also, Chacon’s idea to connect the different fraternities and sororities is innovative. The program would bring different communities and perspectives together to work for a common charitable cause.
As part of his “Be Healthy, Eat Healthy” platform, Chacon will work with UCLA Dining Services and Associated Students UCLA to provide visible nutrition charts for all foods offered on campus and on the Hill.
Having Chacon as a fellow general representative is really vital to the work I want to do in office this upcoming year. Our concrete platforms support one another’s, and it is imperative that we both are elected to see this vision come to fruition.
James Birks
Students First! candidate for general representative