USAC Endorsement: Devin Murphy for General Representative
The editorial board represents the stance of the Daily Bruin, and is composed of four standing members – the editor-in-chief, managing editor, news editor and opinion editor – in addition to five staff representatives.
The endorsement process took place the week before voting began. Endorsements were primarily based on a 20-minute interview that three to four members of the editorial board conducted with each candidate. During these interviews, candidates were able to discuss their platforms, knowledge of the Undergraduate Students Association Council and prior experience.
The board selected endorsements for each office after discussing each candidate and taking a vote. All endorsed candidates received a majority vote from the board.
We encourage students to use our endorsements as a starting point for their own research – and to vote in the elections.
See who the board endorsed:
- President
- Internal Vice President
- External Vice President
- General Representative
- General Representative
- General Representative
- Academic Affairs Commissioner
- Campus Events Commissioner
- Community Service Commissioner
- Cultural Affairs Commissioner
- Facilities Commissioner
- Financial Supports Commissioner
- Student Wellness Commissioner
By Editorial Board
May 6, 2013 12:05 a.m.
General representatives should aim to serve the collective interests of the student population, and the wide scope of Devin Murphy’s platforms have prepared him to achieve this goal.
Murphy plans to bring organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union and university police to campus to teach students about their legal rights. He also plans to book a tenants’ rights speaker who could benefit the many students living on their own for the first time.
Murphy also plans to promote financial literacy by organizing workshops to teach students about potentially confusing financial terms. His plan to create a multi-platform mobile app with readily available financial information shows that he understands practical ways to reach students.
However, this platform treads on the jurisdiction of another USAC office. We recommend that he work with the next Financial Supports commissioner on this project to expedite its completion.
Murphy’s weakest platforms involve making a more student-centered ASUCLA and the creation of a USAC newsletter. A larger student presence in Ackerman Union would benefit everyone, but Murphy lacks a specific plan to bring this platform to fruition.
Additionally, we think a USAC newsletter would be a waste of resources. USAC already has ways to be open with its constituency and Murphy would better serve students by ensuring that agenda meetings and minutes on the USAC website are updated.
Murphy is composed, informed and well-qualified for this position. His strongest platforms have the potential to implement substantial benefits for UCLA students, but he should flesh out his weaker platforms so they can do the same.
