The proposed change to the structure of the undergraduate
student government has already garnered some support from student
leaders who have reviewed the proposal.
Last week, a group of students led by Brian Neesby ““ the
chief of staff of the Financial Supports commission, but not
speaking or working on its behalf ““ released a proposal and a
tentative constitution that would change the structure of the
undergraduate student government from a council to a senate system,
which includes the addition of a legislative branch.
In order to put this proposal to a vote, 15 percent of the
undergraduate student body needs to sign a petition (approximately
3,800 students).
Neesby, who ran for the general representative position under
the Equal Access Coalition slate last year, is hoping that once
students are informed about the new government, they would see why
a change is necessary. Slates are coalitions of students with
similar ideologies that form to win seats on council, and the EAC
slate was created last year. Currently, no slate has officially
endorsed the senate proposal.
The process of gathering signatures and publicizing the changes
will require not only support but manpower, and some student groups
have already vocalized their willingness to be involved in the
process.
Matt Knee, president of Bruin Republicans, said he strongly
supports the proposal because he believes the new system would
better reflect “American values of true democracy and
representation.”
Knee also said Bruin Republicans would be willing to mobilize
and promote the change, as it would fit with the group’s
general mission statement.
Most groups who support the proposal point to the opportunity to
obtain more representation in student government as the primary
strength driving the campaign.
Andy Green, president of the Jewish Student Union, said he
supports the proposal because it could potentially depoliticize the
existing commissions and lead them to focus more on their
programming responsibilities.
But one current general representative with the Undergraduate
Students Association Council, Anneli Villarin, does not agree with
the direction the proposal would take the student government and
said a larger voting body could impede processes.
Another general representative, Jenny Wood, shares
Villarin’s concern in terms of inefficiency.
Wood said she is an advocate of USAC’s current operating
system and believes a senate would limit the government’s
ability to act as a strong unit of advocacy.
But in spite of the opposition, those proposing the changes are
getting to work to educate and involve students in the process.
Kristina Doan, president of the Bruin Democrats, said the
proposed new system could be a great way to bring students into the
political scene, and her group generally tries to get people more
engaged in politics.
Doan acknowledged that though she believes this change is
necessary, the transition period might be a difficult one.
“I do think it will definitely be worth it at the
end,” she said.
Another advocate of the proposal is Alex Gruenberg, USAC’s
current Financial Supports commissioner who ran under the Equal
Access Coalition during last year’s election.
Gruenberg said though his office will not be taking an active
stance on the proposal, he has always personally looked for
large-scale reform.
“I have spoken to a lot of student groups, and a lot of
them verbally told me they support this proposed change,” he
said.
As many groups have made their stance on the change clear, USAC
President Allende Palma/Saracho said he is still in the process of
reviewing the proposed structural changes.
“I don’t feel comfortable making a statement yet
because I want to stay fair and be fully knowledgeable of the
proposal before I establish any views toward it,” he
said.