David Ehrenberg Karren Lane
Dusan Miletich This past year USAC was plagued by
a variety of problems including a lack of cohesion among council
members, an inability to complete intended goals, and a general
disjunction from the student body. My solutions to these problems
revolve around three themes: unity, progress and
accountability.
The first theme is unity. By reconciling differences and
disputes on council and maintaining strong relationships with all
groups on campus, USAC will come together to do what is best for
all students. One method of accomplishing this objective is through
coalitions, so that each side of the political spectrum on campus
is recognized and heard.
Furthermore, I will use a technique known as dispute resolution
management to mediate old and new tensions on council.
The second theme of my campaign is progress. The president of
USAC does not have a large functional role on council.
An effective president needs to provide facilitation, guidance
and mediation to all council members. I will ensure that members on
council do their job by serving in that capacity. Furthermore, I
will pay special attention to issues involving campus safety,
equitable budgetary allocation, UCLA parking and transportation,
academic enrichment programming, campus spirit, campus retention
and outreach and support to pre-college and community college
students in surrounding areas.
My third theme involves accountability. Students are often
misinformed or uninformed about the functions of USAC. Informing
students on a weekly basis of the current USAC issues via the Daily
Bruin is the best way to keep all undergrads up to date.
Another way to keep students involved in USAC is through
bi-weekly town hall meetings. These events provide students with a
direct opportunity to communicate with their student government. In
addition to the town hall meetings, surveys afford students the
chance to voice their concerns. These methods are the best way to
hear all students and accommodate their needs.
The vision of Student Empowerment! candidates is to fully engage
students in their educational experience so that they are empowered
with the knowledge of themselves and the diverse world around them.
As UCLA students, we should become successful individuals who
contribute to the progress of the greater community. Thus the role
of USAC should be to provide a supportive environment for the
educational pursuit of all UCLA students. As USAC president, I plan
to use the tools and skills I have gained to carry out this
goal.
My experience demonstrates my commitment to enhancing
educational opportunities on campus. Through my work with the
Community Programs Office and the African Student Union, I have
been able to collaborate with a diverse range of organizations and
develop working relationships with administrators, faculty and
elected officials.
I have been successful in working with various students to
produce cultural and educational programs such as “Hip Hop
X-plosion” and Pan African Week. As a member of the Student
Fee Advisory Committee, I have worked with undergraduates,
graduates and administrators to advise the chancellor on student
fees and the funding of student services.
I will continue to work for students by increasing opportunities
for students to get involved, providing more direct services to
ensure the retention of all UCLA students, and creating alternative
means of education. I plan to hold quarterly USAC general body
meetings and a USAC student service resource fair.
I also intend to extend academic discussion beyond the classroom
through “Student and Faculty Brown Bags,” where
students and faculty can dialogue about important issues. In
addition, I will work with USAC council members to continue the
book-lending program, increase the meal coupon’s value, and
sponsor financial aid workshops.
The role of USAC president is to ensure that all the
responsibilities of council are met. With my experience and
commitment, I will work to make USAC more effective and accessible
to students.
The time has come for a change in USAC and for your voices to be
heard. We must unite together to reform the Praxis-led oligarchy
that has unabashedly denied student access to both funding and
representation, and ensure that a true democracy is installed at
UCLA. To achieve this goal we must first win a majority of the
council, and this is why we have formed the first truly progressive
slate this campus has seen in years, S.U.R.E. (Students United for
Reform and Equality).
Right about now your saying, “Yeah right. I’ve heard
this same kind of rhetoric a million times before. What makes you
any different from all the rest?”
To this I reply simply: I am the only presidential candidate who
wants to win so he can limit his own power. And not only do I want
to limit it, but I want to legislate the USAC council out of
legislation altogether, by making the council a true executive body
and creating a student senate to act as the legislative branch. The
senate would be comprised of representatives from all aspects of
campus life and would ensure equal access to governance.
More importantly, this separation of power would curb the
corruption and mismanagement that plagues the current system.
In addition to the far-reaching goal of the senate system, I
believe that I can utilize the experience I have gained in working
in the president’s office, and in managing my own business,
to provide realistic solutions to problems the council has
neglected in the past years.
Important issues like student outreach, affordable off-campus
housing, parking, disallowing finals on weekends in observance of
religious services and better community relations can all be
tackled if approached in a mature and professional manner.
Expect better. Vote Dusan Miletich for USAC President.