When endorsing candidates for the Undergraduate Students Association Council, the Daily Bruin Editorial Board considered many factors.
Each of the candidates were interviewed for 30 minutes and answered questions about a summary of their platforms and experience that they submitted to the board in advance.
Candidates were questioned about certain political issues, such as their views on allocation of office space in Kerckhoff Hall, as well as the feasibility of their platform items and their general knowledge of USAC and the UCLA administration. When judging the feasibility of platforms, board members considered the candidate’s knowledge of the campus, experience implementing similar ideas, knowledge of past attempts to implement similar ideas, and whether or not they spoke to the appropriate UCLA administrator about the idea in advance.
Slate affiliation and broader slate platform items were not considered at all in the endorsement process. The Daily Bruin does not endorse one specific slate over another and does not give preference to candidates affiliated with a slate.
The ideal candidate is articulate, knowledgeable about the office they are running for, and has relevant experience. One vital factor the board considered was whether or not a candidate was able to concretely demonstrate an understanding of what a USAC officer can accomplish given the position they are running for, as well as their having done some advance work on each platform item.
The editorial board would have liked to see more of a balance in the platforms of many of the candidates who we found to be either too down-to-earth or too in-the-stratosphere with their goals. A healthy mix of realistic and concrete goals, continuing projects from past years, and ambition is always preferable.
Internal Vice President: Lydia Kim
General Representative: Kohles, Hernandez and Birks