Although both candidates are qualified and have similar platforms, we endorse Darren Ramalho for Academic Affairs commissioner because of his preparedness and the specificity of his plans.

Ramalho has extensive experience with academic entities on campus, particularly with his time on the Faculty Executive Committee this year.

Ramalho plans to foster closer relations between administrators and students, to start a student advisory board for online education and to expand USAC outreach to transfer students.

For each of these platforms, Ramalho had specific plans in place and had already spoken to several people about them. To accomplish his goal of connecting students with administrators, he said he hopes to host several events where both can mingle in an informal setting. Ramalho has already contacted several administrators who expressed interest in such a program. This demonstrates his enthusiasm and strong planning abilities.

Ramalho’s plan to create an online advisory board is particularly important because of the University of California’s growing focus on online education. Creating a board of students to work with the Academic Senate will help bring the students’ voice to a discussion where it can sometimes go unheard.

Ramalho aims to continue pushing for the creation of a diversity requirement, which has failed several times in the past. We urge Ramalho to explore new ways to educate students about different cultures.

Ultimately, both candidates are qualified and have good ideas, but we think Ramalho has the greater potential to accomplish his platforms efficiently.

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30 Comments

  1. Easily the most qualified candidate! Proud to support him and see just what he’ll accomplish as Academic Affairs Commissioner! 🙂

      1. This image was clearly Photoshopped. It’s easy for Let’s Act to go after someone like Darren just because they happen to be in leadership for Bruin Republicans so they assume that Darren holds stereotypical “Republican” views, when in fact anyone who has met Darren would know that he does not tolerate hatred towards the LGBT community.

        1. Darren himself acknowledged the picture is true, but he has since taken it off his facebook.

  2. That awkward moment when as a member of Bruin Republicans Darren lobbied against the Diversity GE Req.!

    1. Worse — he’s a part of the Young Americans for Freedom, an extremely conservative organization against a lot of the policies that would help marginalized communities, and students.

      1. That’s not true. I spoke with Darren during meet the candidates. He’s chairmen of Bruin Republicans, not YAF.

        I’m browsing on all the candidates’ pages after I saw all the hateful comments LA posted regarding Taylor. I’m proudly behind Taylor and Nicole, and after I’m seeing the hateful comments Let’s Act is posting, I can say I’m proudly voting for Darren and the rest of the BU candidates. I can’t imagine how a party of such hate and indecency could adequately reflect my voice.

      2. Trust me, Darren is nothing more than a RINO (Republican in Name Only).
        I respect the guy on a personal level, but he is no true conservative and his track record proves that. I wouldn’t be surprised if he voted Obama in 08.

        1. Not making assumptions, but when his twitter is features a lot of #nobamas and Mitt Romney, and takes pictures with Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachmann, I’m pretty sure that he’s a republican at heart. One can only assume.

          Just saying. But do continue your conversation.

          1. Even if Darren were a true Republican, Bruins United encourages diversity of opinion. That is the true meaning of diversity.

          2. LMAO! The true meaning of diversity?

            I guess this is what we can expect from a predominately white and male slate. Looks a lot like the Republican party in DC.

            if it thinks like an elephant, votes like an elephant, it must be an elephant.

          3. True diversity isn’t defined by your race, but by the ideas you present as an individual. This notion that race should somehow define diversity is antiquated; it’s time that we as a university begin to move forward.

    2. That even more awkward moment when Darren, as the chairman of Bruin Republicans, was STRONGLY endorsed by the Bruin Democrats. Have a good day, now.

      1. My friend, changing ideology to win an endorsement is not something to brag over.

        1. He hasn’t changed his ideology. If you read their endorsement, which I’m assuming you have, you may have noted that NOTHING in it says he flip flops on his stances. Rather, those across the aisle see how well he works with people of all communities.

    3. Any student in their right mind would fight against the Diversity GE Requirement; that has nothing to do with being a Dem or Republican.

      1. so why would Darren state he wants to increase advocacy for it? Are you suggesting that the person you respect doesn’t have the right mind?

        Make up your mind Frank. I like Darren and and I want to vote for him, but his association to you is making me rethink that.

        1. I’m sorry, let me rephrase. I don’t like the requirement and oppose it personally, and while I wish more candidates would feel the same way, I still believe that Darren is the most qualified person for this position so I will vote for him.

  3. Yes, Darren is a Republican, and he might have lobbied against the Diversity Requirement.
    But our slate encourages the diversity of opinion.

    We represent ALL students.

    Vote Bruins United!

    1. BUT WHY IS HE PROPOSING ONE AS HIS PLATFORM THEN? IT’S HYPOCRISY, JUST A METHOD TO GET NEEDED DIVERSE VOTERS

  4. BU slate is a bunch of racists, didn’t you see the video they made for the Chinese! And they are against diversity, especially Muslims and Mexicans.

    1. And Let’s Act is FOR diversity? Is that why they don’t have a single White male on their slate? Is that why they don’t have a single Jewish person on their slate? Is that why they don’t have a single Chinese-American person on their slate? Or why they don’t have a single Indian-American person on their slate? Or why they don’t have a single Armenian-American on their slate?

  5. Ummm Darren said in a facebook status that teaching about homosexuality in schools was equivalent to teaching about bestiality and polygamy.. If you don’t believe me ask ANY of the candidates.

    1. Even if that were true, he still represents a voice of students on campus that is often silenced because it is not “politically correct” and it is important that ALL student voices are heard, not just the ones you agree with.

  6. I agree with frankfinckle, there is not enough diversity! We need more Armenian, Indian, Chinese and Jewish persons and more Caucasians! BU is racist!

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