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By Marion Wise
Daily Bruin Contributor
Two quarters of lobbying for better financial aid and the repeal
of policies banning affirmative action is not enough for Evan
Okamura ““ that’s why he’s hoping to be external
vice president of the Undergraduate Students Association Council
again.
Okamura, a third-year political science student and current EVP,
is running unopposed for the same office for next year.
“I think all the positions within USAC work to better the
UCLA student body, but I think what makes the EVP role so unique is
that it says “˜external,’ but there’s a direct
connection (to the university),” Okamura said. “The
issues seem so external, but they’re really closely
intertwined.”
The EVP’s responsibilities include representing UCLA in
lobby, state and national interests, including the University of
California and the United States Student Associations. The EVP of
every UC campus automatically sits on the UCSA Board of Directors
and is eligible to run for a position on the Board of Directors of
USSA.
“I think the EVP position is unique because you get the
opportunity to branch out on a national level,” said USSA
Community Director Cristy Ringor.
Okamura, who is running on the Student Empowerment! slate, is
looking forward to working as EVP again next year, saying he has
gained useful experience the past five months. He was elected EVP
in a special December election after former EVP Portia Pedro became
ineligible to maintain her post.
“We’ve really built a strong foundation for next
year,” Okamura said. “(Working as EVP) has given me so
much satisfaction in terms of working on issues that directly
affect students. It allows me to work on a lot of different levels
to help students.”
UCSA, which represents all UC campuses, works with student
representatives to address issues relevant to students. Delegates
from each university confer in July and choose an action agenda for
the new school year, said UCSA Chair Debbie Davis.
“We’re the official student representatives to the
Board of Regents, and we represent student interests to the Office
of the President and legislature,” Davis said.
This year, UCSA’s agenda included issues of financial aid
for undergraduate and graduate students, the need to repeal SP-1
and 2 ““ policies passed by the UC Regents in 1995 that ended
affirmative action at the universities ““ and improving the
quality of student services.
UCLA is also a part of USSA, which acts as a voice in national
politics for college students.
“We come up with campaigns students can run,” Ringor
said.
Okamura, who currently chairs the National Asian Pacific
American Student Coalition, plans to run for office on the USSA
Board of Directors.
Recently elected Graduate Student Association EVP Alain Dang, a
first-year master’s student in urban planning, said the EVP
plays an important role on campus.
“I think it’s very important, because the EVP is
kind of the public face in representing students to other UCs
““ statewide and to outside agents,” Dang said.
“I’m just hoping there will be greater interaction
between USAC and GSA because I think there would be a greater
voice.”
Okamura is looking forward to working on next year’s
council.
“On this year’s council, a lot of the decisions or
problems had to do with different perspectives or styles. It was
weird for me, coming in halfway through the year,” he
said.
“With the new council, it’s important that we
understand we’d better find a way to get along.”