Four students are running for president in this year’s undergraduate student government election. The list includes two independent candidates ““ an unexpected change from the campaign race in previous years.
Two of this year’s Undergraduate Students Association Council general representatives, Matt Spring and Emily Resnick, are running as candidates from the Students First! and Bruins United slates, respectively.
These slates are groups of students who pool their resources and run together, similar to political parties.
Both Resnick and Spring said their work as general representatives this year gives them more knowledge about the election process and more experience with USAC than the independent candidates.
The two independent candidates, Adam Swart and Daniel Yadegari, round out the presidential ballot.
Having two independent presidential candidates is out of the ordinary and has not been seen in recent years, according to Election Board adviser Kristopher Kaupalolo.
Swart, a second-year political science student and policy director for Bruin Democrats, said he feels slates cater too much to their specific constituencies, and his goal is to serve the entire student body.
“The core of my platform is pragmatic government … and looking out for all students,” he said.
Swart said he did not let the idea of slate-sponsored candidates deter him from running for president. Though he said Resnick and Spring are better versed in the institutional processes of elections and student government, he added that his independent status puts him into direct contact with students.
Swart said he collected all 100 signatures for the initial petition for candidacy himself, and added that he enjoyed talking to those students directly.
Yadegari, a third-year psychology student, agreed that not having a slate behind him makes the election process more difficult.
“It’s very much a disadvantage. They’re several steps ahead of me, and I’m playing catch-up,” Yadegari said.
He added that he has a couple friends helping him with his campaign, which contrasts with the greater number of campaign workers for Bruins United and Students First! candidates.
However, Yadegari said his mission in this election is to show that students outside of the established slates care about student welfare.
If elected, he hopes to boost school spirit and let the student population know that, despite the recent budget crisis, the school still cares for its students.
Patrick Ahrens, the Election Board chair, said that while the election code doesn’t officially recognize slates, he will make the election as fair as possible.
“We are committed to recognizing people and not slates,” said the fourth-year political science student. “Every candidate will get equal opportunity to reach the student body.”
The two slates have both developed a platform for all of their candidates. Each group has 10 candidates running for all the contested offices, including Spring and Resnick.
“Students First! is really grounded on the ideals and principles of grassroots organizing,” said JC De Vera, a member of Students First! and this year’s USAC facilities commissioner.
De Vera said a main focus of Students First! during this election will be affordability, especially in regards to undocumented students.
“With the massive cuts to education, we want to make sure all students are … able to attend this institution,” he said.
The slate will also continue to lobby for a diversity requirement and more ways to address campus climate.
Bruins United co-chairs Anna Alexandroni and Jason Youdeem said their slate will focus on tangible achievements like implementing a four-year MyUCLA degree planner and more customized meal plans.
“We want to make sure we use the resources of the student government to really impact (each student’s) four years,” said Alexandroni, a fourth-year political science student.
She and Youdeem, a fourth-year global studies student, said Bruins United candidates have been working with various administrators to ensure there is support and funding for their programs.
This election will be slightly different than previous years’: the endorsement process has been shortened to one day and voting hours have been extended. Ahrens said the two main goals of these changes are to encourage more students to vote and make sure the process is as efficient as possible.
Campaigning officially begins April 28 and will last through the voting period, which is May 2-5. Students can cast ballots on their MyUCLA web pages. The new council members will be inducted on May 22, when their terms officially begin.