Both Anthony Montalvo and his opponent, Armen Hadjimanoukian, do not have a solid grasp on the responsibilities of the Facilities commissioner. But Montalvo has ideas that are more meaningful to the UCLA community, and for this reason, we endorse him.
Hadjimanoukian is running on narrow, short-term platforms – a revamped reusable coffee cup, a student thrift shop and new charging stations – that he could easily achieve, but that do not take larger issues students face into account.
In comparison to Hadjimanoukian, Montalvo reached out to more student groups and considered their needs in developing his platforms.
Montalvo’s strongest platform was to use signage to make gender-neutral bathrooms more visible. This feasible plan would make the campus more inclusive, increasing the comfort level of a sizeable constituent of students. He also had strong ideas about improving UCLA Transportation that simply need more research.
But the scope of Montalvo’s other platforms falls outside the role of the Facilities commissioner. For instance, Montalvo wants to improve university police’s relationship with students by asking UCPD to put on sensitivity training, but this is better left to a general representative or the internal vice president.
Montalvo’s platform for a green student group cooperative is also problematic – many environmental groups already work together; bringing them together through the Facilities Commission is unnecessary.
Still, Montalvo demonstrated more capability than his opponent to use the Facilities Commission office to create substantive change for students.
