USAC Candidate Statements

Theo Apostol Throughout my college career, I
have participated in various programs giving me the experience
needed to work effectively in the General Representative Office. I
have worked in the Office of Residential Life and am currently a
resident computer intern. My experience with the SPEAR project in
the Student Retention Center involves addressing student concerns
and issues on a daily basis. As your general representative, I want
to increase USAC’s accessibility to students so that all
student concerns can be heard. Open avenues for student dialogue
about issues pertaining to their experience at UCLA will increase
their investment in USAC and campus life. One goal I have is to
provide a USAC internship to expand students’ understanding
of USAC’s role and its relevance to the student body.
Moreover, I would like to stress the importance of education
outside of the classroom. By providing “Focus Forums,”
round-table discussions which engage students in discussion of
specific topics, we can appreciate the diversity of viewpoints on
our campus. From my experience over the past four years, I realize
that we, the students, make the university. With this understanding
comes responsibility. I feel students need to take ownership of
their educational experiences at UCLA. UCLA is a microcosm of
society. If we, as students, do not exercise our rights to be
involved in the decision-making process on this campus, we keep
ourselves from affecting our communities off-campus.
Christopher Cheng I am a third-year student
pursuing a double major in communications and political science and
a minor in public policy. I have been interested in student
government since my first year when I almost won the general
representative position in 1999. I have been actively involved in
the Greek system since my freshman year. I have also been involved
in the UCLA department of music performing with the UCLA Chorale
and UCLA Orchestra. I am a two-time performer in Student Alumni
Association’s Spring Sing talent show. I am running on the
S.U.R.E. slate (Students United for Reform and Equality) where I
hope to balance out council and bring student government back to
the students. The UCLA campus has let the student government
function as a political machine for too long. I wish to return
civility, accountability and equality back to USAC as our student
government strives to improve student life. I have four main goals
for the general representative position. First, I want to install a
student senate system where every student group will have access to
USAC. Second, I plan to make Ackerman Student Union a true student
union. Working with ASUCLA and the Graduate Students Association, I
hope to open a restaurant bar and grill in Ackerman to promote
student interaction and assist ASUCLA out of debt. Third, I plan to
investigate the embarrassing and persistent sewage problem in the
on-campus housing area. Finally, I plan to ensure that our campus
remains diverse while selecting only the most qualified students
for admittance. UCLA is one of the premier colleges in the nation,
and we should be setting the example of a functional student
government. With the election of S.U.R.E. candidates, we will have
hardworking, knowledgeable, intelligent and professional people
managing student issues. The UCLA student body should expect better
and elect Chris Cheng for general representative. David
Dahle My name is David Dahle and I am running for the
office of USAC general representative. I feel I am qualified for
this position because of my involvement in many spheres of campus
life. I am the campus safety director for the Student Welfare
Commission, the special events coordinator for Hedrick Hall, a
chief deputy for the Staff for the USAC President and a member of
the Vietnamese Student Union. As a general representative, I would
foster greater lines of communication with the On-Campus Housing
Council, because many first and second year students in the
residence halls have little direct knowledge, involvement or
contact with USAC. I, as well as the other members of the S.U.R.E.
slate (Students United for Reform and Equality) will also work on
issues that affect the daily lives of all students and groups at
UCLA. I plan on restructuring USAC into a senate system, which
would be inclusive of all groups, ideologies, constituencies and
voices. This contrasts with the current structure, which allows for
only minimal student participation, corruption and little
accountability. Along with structural changes, the S.U.R.E. slate
will also tackle practical issues that the current government has
failed to provide. We will lobby for no finals on weekends (for
religious observance); student seating back at Pauley Pavilion
during sporting events; increased meal coupon value for dorm
residents; tax free textbook bill in the State Assembly (AB 1246)
and increased funding for the Student Retention Center. Machine
politics must not be allowed in student government. It is time that
practical issues which affect all students be discussed again in
USAC. Vote for candidates who will guarantee to enact practical
changes, not ones that just espouse lofty ideals. Expect Better
from USAC! Vote David Nguyen Dahle and for all S.U.R.E. candidates.
Cindy Mosqueda When I first came to UCLA three
years ago, I was lost. But as soon as I became involved, I found my
way by taking ownership of my education. I am running on the
Student Empowerment! slate for general representative because we
should all feel empowered by our education and student government.
For the past three years I have been an active member of MEChA, a
Chicana/o student group, and have worked with their student
initiated outreach programs. This year, as the Chicana/o Studies
Coordinator and Student Departmental Senate Representative for the
César Chavez Center, my role is to ensure student
representation. The office of general representative has the unique
opportunity to work on specific issues affecting students. As a
general representative, I plan to work on two key issues. The first
is campus safety and awareness, as it is crucial that we all feel
safe on campus. No student should feel afraid to use campus
facilities or study late at night. Through the office I will work
with the Center for Women and Men and the LGBT Resource Center to
co-program and promote workshops on self-defense, domestic
violence, etc. Secondly, our education should be relevant to our
lives and help us succeed in a multicultural society. I plan to
work toward the implementation of a diversity requirement within
our general education curriculum. Unfortunately, UCLA is the only
UC without a diversity requirement. If both elected, I plan to work
closely with Student Empowerment! Academic Affairs candidate,
Bryant Tan, to push for a relevant education. Through the Days of
Dialogue and Democracy in Action programs, I plan to give students
the opportunity to dialogue and debate about important issues. As a
general representative I will use my experience to encourage all
students to feel invested in their education and empowered to make
change. Breana Teubner I am a third-year cultural
anthropology and American literature and culture student. I have
leadership experience on campus and have also been involved in many
of the activities and volunteer opportunities UCLA has to offer.
Currently, I am on the Executive Committee for the UCLA
Communications Board. The Communications Board is responsible for
regulating all UCLA student media publications such as UCLA Radio,
the Daily Bruin, Nommo and La Gente, to name a few. I am also a
member of the Speakers Staff for the Campus Events Commission.
Campus events is responsible for the majority of concerts, films
and speaker engagements on campus. Additionally, I was selected to
participate in the prestigious Alumni Association Leadership
Training Program. I have volunteered for the UCLA Children’s
Walk for Life and Project Share, where I tutored elementary
students after school. I also competed for the UCLA snowboard team
and performed in the 2000 Spring Sing production. If elected, my
main goal as general representative is to establish a new committee
comprised entirely of student group representatives. The purpose of
the committee will be to provide more representation to the student
groups, foster dialogue between campus leaders, and most
importantly, make USAC more accessible to student groups. Through
this committee, student groups will have more influence in
important issues such as funding and diversity. I am a proud member
of the S.U.R.E. slate (Students United for Reform and Equality),
which supports the implementation of a senate system. The slate
stands behind reform, representation and accountability.
Additionally, the slate supports realistic goals that directly help
UCLA students. These include: longer Wooden Center hours, more
student floor seating in Pauley, increased funding for the Student
Retention Center, increased parking permits for students and a
tax-free textbook bill. Overall, I feel that UCLA students should
expect better from their student government and through my
experience and platform, I will be able to provide it.