Kim Coss Student Empowerment Andrew
LaFlamme Independent Suzanna Minasian
S.U.R.E. As students, we carry a heavy load, from participating in
our education and other commitments to working toward improving our
communities. In addition to this, we also have housing,
transportation and parking issues, monthly utility expenses and
educational fees. Many of us have to balance our full-time academic
workloads with part-time jobs to support our education.
I believe, as students, our financial concerns should not be a
major factor in attaining our education.
If elected, I will engage students in continued educational
discussions specifically addressing our financial concerns. This is
a continued effort of mine as the current chief of staff of the
financial supports commission.
This year, we maintained and expanded the Students First!
Booklending Program, which lends free books to students for a
quarter. In addition, our office worked effectively with ASUCLA to
obtain a discount on student books for the program. I plan on
extending this program next year to include a book exchange where
students can loan their old books in a students-helping-students
effort.
As a member of the Campus Retention Committee, my goal is to
ensure that each student graduates without being burdened by
financial difficulties. I plan on working with the Campus Retention
Committee to provide “Financial Aid 101″ workshops to
help alleviate financial burdens that students face by keeping them
better informed.
Given my previous experience as chief of staff, I have the
vision and ability to continue and broaden current programs and
develop new ideas to specifically deal with addressing the
financial needs of students.
In past years, the Undergraduate Student Association Council
financial supports commissioner has not used his/her position to
properly address the financial concerns of the UCLA student
community.
I will better use the assets of USAC and the office of the
financial supports commissioner to target the needs of the UCLA
student community. I will do this in the following ways.
First, I will be a true representative of UCLA students. The
members of USAC are elected to represent the UCLA undergraduate
student community and therefore should be accessible to the
students whom they represent. Beyond simply being accessible, I
will actively seek the input of the undergraduate community.
Secondly, I will work to expand summer financial aid and enable
students to use UCLA summer financial aid at any UC, rather than
the currently limited choices.
Thirdly, I will also continue the BruinGo! program. Free public
transportation is a great asset for UCLA students, and I will work
to see that the program continues in years to come.
In addition, I will work to increase aid and scholarship access.
I want to expand the Scholarship Research Center beyond its
location in the dorms, making it accessible to all students. I also
want to expand the SRC’s material and content and make it a better
resource for every student.
Lastly, I will address the rising cost of living in Westwood.
Realistically, this is a goal that requires a great deal of work in
areas outside of UCLA. Steps toward addressing the problem must
begin somewhere.
This office provides students with an excellent platform upon
which to initiate that change.
Housing. Parking. Financial Aid. Employment. Most of these
issues, if not all, affect every student on campus, yet they remain
unreformed. I, Suzanna Minasian, am running for the position of
financial supports commissioner on the S.U.R.E. slate to reverse
this trend.
How? I will persistently lobby for an increase in
university-subsidized off-campus housing, an increase in parking
permits available for students, higher meal coupon rates for
students in the dorms and the passing of the tax-free textbook bill
in the California State Assembly (AB 1246). I will also work to
expand the current book-lending program for students with financial
difficulties.
My current experience within the Undergraduate Student
Association Council is one of public relations. This is due to my
strong belief in communication with, and integration of, the
student body in decision-making.
I am also a member of the Political Science Students
Organization, a volunteer tutor for the Glendale Learning Project,
an active member of the Armenian Students Association, a Bruin
Democrat and an intern for Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Sherman
Oaks).
In addition to my seven years of experience in student council,
I also have been involved in government at the state level. I
served as the political chair of Assembly Speaker Robert
Hertzberg’s advisory commission doing bill review, constituency
service and program implementation for California. With such a
background, I feel strongly prepared to serve the UCLA
community.
Along with my fellow S.U.R.E. slate members, I will bring
reform, representation and accountability back into student
government, because it is through these avenues that we will meet
student needs.
Expect better. Elect Suzanna "Suzy" Minasian to address your
financial concerns – it’s the S.U.R.E. thing to do!