In light of his substantial experience working within USAC, his efforts to preserve important student services and his commitment to a diverse range of students, the board endorses Layhearn Tep for Academic Affairs commissioner.
Having been a member both of the Academic Affairs Commission and the Academic Senate, Tep demonstrates an impressive working knowledge of USAC and its limitations as well as strengths.
Tep has pledged to protect funding for student services such as the Academic Advancement Program and student counseling. His experience with student government’s structure and campus administration gives the board more confidence that he can succeed.
While Tep’s opponent, Raquel Saxe, is enthusiastic, the board does not believe that her proposals for syllabus previews, a social entrepreneurship minor and more one-on-one student-alumni mentoring address the most pressing needs of students. Saxe did pledge to help save Covel Peer Learning Labs but was short on details.
Tep’s platform is feasible and directed at the areas that most need the Academic Affairs office’s attention. His proposal to bring Career Center counseling to campus in a way similar to ASK Peer Counselors makes existing services more accessible, and he is on board with the creation of a general education diversity requirement.
Most impressively, Tep sees improving the transfer student experience and retention as a critical area for his office, despite not being a transfer student himself. Besides the fact that this is a good idea, it also highlights Tep’s ability to see the needs of groups on campus beyond his own.
The Academic Affairs Commission is intended to help all students, even those sometimes overlooked, and Tep is the candidate best prepared to do so.