When deciding whom to endorse for student government this year, the Daily Bruin Editorial Board focused on what candidates can do for students, regardless of their slate. We hope voters will do the same and evaluate individuals based on what they can do for UCLA as a whole, not just for specific groups.
Even though the candidates elected to the Undergraduate Students Association Council will impact every student’s life, turnout for elections in recent years has been abysmal, hovering around one-third of undergraduate students.
But with USAC in charge of both the spending of millions of dollars and the direction of countless advocacy efforts and campus events, we hope students will take this opportunity to take notice of USAC and voice their opinions.
In order to choose which candidates to endorse, the Editorial Board reviews statements from candidates and interviews each individually. Endorsements represent the majority opinion of the board.
New to USAC elections this year is a process of voting where students rank their choices and votes are automatically redistributed to eliminate runoff elections. Accordingly, we have ranked our endorsements for each position.
———————————————————————
Bruins United candidate has ambitious plans that aim to include entire UCLA community
Although he has garnered most of his experience outside of the Undergraduate Students Association Council, Gabe Rose shows great promise and skill as a leader. His platform is set to move the council in a direction which some critics find lacking in the current council ““ inclusion of all students.
———————————————————————
Internal Vice President: Jamel Greer
Greer aims to bridge gap between USAC and student groups, improve campus safety
Jamel Greer knows where student government is failing campus organizations, and his passion and clear vision make him the best person to fix it.
———————————————————————
External Vice President: Jeanalee Obergfell
Obergfell has both vital experience, specific goals to decrease fees, increase financial aid
With experience on the University of California Students Association running student lobby clinics and organizing students to attend conferences, Jeanalee Obergfell has what it takes to lead as the USAC external vice president.
———————————————————————
General Representatives: Michelle Lyon, Christina Colosimo, Jesse Rogel
Lyon, Colosimo, Rogel will bring experience to the offices, represent often-neglected groups
Bringing focus to a wide variety of campus niches, candidates Michelle Lyon, Christina Colosimo and Jesse Rogel will provide the best leadership for the general representative offices.
———————————————————————
Academic Affairs Commissioner: Addar Weintraub
Weintraub gets head start on setting up solid plan to reform priority enrollment system
Addar Weintraub is without a doubt the best, most qualified candidate for the position of Academic Affairs commissioner.
———————————————————————
Cultural Affairs Commissioner: Bernice Shaw
Shaw’s proposed Arts Advocacy Coalition would foster stronger student-art presence
When questioned about her platform for Cultural Affairs commissioner, Bernice Shaw eagerly spouted out her accomplishments from the past two years along with her clear plans for the future.
———————————————————————
Financial Supports Commissioner: Clinton Jang
Jang addresses broader concerns than Ramos, outlines doable plan for book-lending program
In one of the most unimpressive candidate pools of this election, Bruins United candidate Clinton Jang would bring a better focus to the Financial Supports Commission and is more prepared to enact his plans.
———————————————————————
Facilities Commissioner: Sherlyn Mossahebfar
Mossahebfar has feasible ideas for new campus shuttle route, better use of Kerckhoff office space
With concrete and focused plans to address issues currently plaguing student life ““ parking and transportation, office and storage space for student groups and advocating for Westwood’s needs at the city government level ““ Sherlyn Mossahebfar of Bruins United should be USAC’s next Facilities commissioner.
———————————————————————
Student Welfare Commissioner: Jonathan Pham
As the chief of staff for this year’s Student Welfare Commission, Jonathan Pham has plenty of experience to lead it next year.
———————————————————————
Campus Events Commissioner: Colin Iberti
Colin Iberti has the plans and experience to build on the Campus Events Commission’s current strengths and expand its programs.
———————————————————————
Community Service Commissioner: Stephanie Chang
Stephanie Chang offers a compelling plan for assessing the Community Service Commission’s internal problems.