Anyone at UCLA who prioritizes community service and campus
unity should vote Lucero Chavez for USAC president. She is the only
presidential candidate who has demonstrated a true commitment to
positive change both on and off campus.
We’ve seen a large increase in the number of student
organizations dedicated to serving the local and international
community over the past few years.
These organizations, such as the Muslim Students
Association’s Mentors for Academic and Peer Support program,
are not only about helping outside communities. They also
contribute greatly to the development of students here at UCLA.
It is absolutely necessary to elect student-leaders who have and
will continue to advocate to get the resources necessary to create
and maintain these valuable programs.
The only USAC presidential candidate who has the ability to
expand upon UCLA’s legacy of social justice and meaningful
community engagement is Chavez. In fact, as chair of the Student
Initiated Access Committee, which oversees the functioning of seven
outreach projects, she successfully restored millions of dollars to
UCLA outreach funding.
As lead coordinator for the Promoting Understanding and Learning
through Service and Education campaign, she increased community
service funding by $700,000 in just one year and united hundreds of
students in an unprecedented campus-wide coalition.
Within the Chancellor’s Enrollment Advisory Committee,
Chavez has demonstrated her ability to make sure administrators
prioritize students’ needs by decreasing student fees and
increasing access to UCLA. Without a representative who has the
experience of attaining necessary resources and advocating for
students in the face of administration, student programming and
services will suffer.
Chavez has proven she is dedicated to community service as well
as campus unity.
At a time when funding is consistently cut from higher education
programs, we need a campus leader who has the experience to ensure
permanent funding for valuable student-initiated projects.
While prospective changes to campus atmosphere such as a campus
bar may sound appealing, what should a UCLA student body
president’s priorities be?
Chavez will not just prioritize students who are over 21 or who
want to run around in their underwear. She will instead use her
experience and the power of the position to advocate issues most
students clearly care about: diversity, campus safety and
affordability.
Chavez will unite the entire UCLA community by continuing
UCLA’s legacy of social justice.
Hussaini is UCLA Muslim Students Association’s
external affairs director.