Selection committee nominates Bravin for student regent

Selection committee nominates Bravin for student regent

By Michael Howerton

Daily Bruin Staff

UC Berkeley law student Jess Bravin was nominated as the new
student regent, nudging out two UCLA contenders for the
position.

If approved by the complete Board of Regents at the February
meeting, Bravin will begin sitting on the board as student
regent-designate without voting powers at the March meeting. When
current student Regent Ed Gomez ends his term in June, Bravin would
then assume a one-year term with equal voting powers as the other
26 voting regents.

"The university is at a crossroads and it is a challenge to
define and articulate its purpose into the next century," Bravin
said, outlining some of his goals for his term.

"In the last 50 years, the university has led the way in the
cultural and economic life of the state," he continued, "but in
recent years there has been a diminution of state government
support. But with a new president, Dr. (Richard) Atkinson, and more
attention being paid to higher education we have the opportunity to
set a new vision into the new century. I want to be part of that
and I want to make sure that students have a part in that."

Bravin was interviewed by the selection committee on Friday,
along with the two other finalists, Chris Schemers, a UCLA
undergraduate, and Leo Trujillo-Cox, a UCLA law school student.

"The quality of all three was outstanding and their commitment
was tremendous," said Alumni Regent Judith Levin, who is also
president of the UCLA Alumni Association. "I was particularly proud
that two of them were from UCLA and that they presented themselves
so strongly."

The selection committee said that Bravin’s experience was a
large determinant in his selection.

"Jess has been very involved with UCSA (University of California
Student Association), and especially (with) the graduate students
for a year," said Levin, who was a member of the student regent
selection committee. "He has been to most of the meetings this year
so he has a good foundation and can hit the ground running to
represent the students."

Widening divisions between the student body and the upper
administration have generated increased concerns this past year
among student advocates. Central to their criticism has been the
deaf ear they claim the regents have turned to them about
affirmative action.

Along with this criticism has been the continued debate within
all levels of the university concerning the most effective way for
the students to become a force in discussion-making circles.

Although many have lauded Gomez for his outspoken and
uncompromising stance before the board in defense of affirmative
action, they have also said that it may have jeopardized the power
of student input on the board, since the antagonism was easier for
the regents to neutralize.

"Gomez uses his position to draw attention outside the system
and that’s valid," Bravin said, warning that Gomez’ year as student
regent has to be seen in the context of the affirmative action
debate that has colored all regent issues since July.

"Gomez took office right before the affirmative action decision
came down in July and the issue has dominated his tenure," Bravin
said "It has been a very divisive issue and he has done a good job
representing the students."

Although he supports the actions that Gomez has taken, Bravin
said that he sees himself fulfilling his role in a different
way.

"We share a similar view of the university we would like to
have, but we have a different style. I would like to present more
of a student presence at the meetings, to represent the students in
the institution, be involved in the day-to-day running of the
university, as well as reach out to other student groups," he
said.

Levin explained that the selection committee was concerned with
choosing a student who would represent the diverse student body as
a whole.

"The student regent speaks for a large body with disparate
views," she said. "(The representative) needs to be temperate. Ed
(Gomez) comes from a tradition of activism that has been
detrimental in that it has put off some of the regents. Maybe
someone who will present themselves in a different way might be
listened to."

Bravin said that he wanted to present himself before the board
as the representative of the students of the entire UC system and
looked to them to offer suggestions for him to take before the
regents.

"This is a chance for students, who usually have the least
influence of any constituency at the university, to have a voice at
the highest council in the university," he said.

Students can send Bravin suggestions by calling (510) 642-2175
or e-mailing [email protected] to
[email protected]