INTERNAL VICE PRESIDENT: Doan an effective diplomatic leader

Of three lackluster candidates for the office of Internal Vice
President, Kristina Doan is the best.

The Bruins United candidate and president of Bruin Democrats has
been instrumental in building her student group by getting core
members involved in campaigns and debates on political issues.

Under Doan’s leadership, the club transformed from one of
which few members cared about to one in which students participate
actively. She created excitement where there was none.

Most notable is Doan’s collaboration with Bruin
Republicans. The two groups have co-hosted events, including
political debates and an election day barbecue, fostering genuine
dialogue ““ a term too often abused ““ on a wide range of
topics.

This kind of diplomatic leader is precisely what an IVP should
be.

Lexi Reid, the Bruin Liberation Movement’s candidate, did
not care enough to show up for endorsement hearings held across
campus.

And Tommy Tseng, the Student Power! candidate, has a platform
and a mind-set that remain stubbornly stuck in the past.

One of Tseng’s main goals, and the one on which he focused
the majority of his energy this year as a general representative,
is repealing the expected cumulative progress requirement.
It’s been an unrealistic campaign and it’s desperately
in need of new direction.

Other aspects of his platform ““ conducting a campus life
survey and increasing the price of meal tickets, would be a waste
of the IVP office’s potential.

But the main reason students shouldn’t vote for Tseng is
his attitude toward student government reforms.

Tseng says the only way in which he would change the
government’s structure would be to add a Student Advisory
Council that would meet twice a quarter. That council would
introduce students to the government and relate student concerns
back to officials.

But Tseng opposes public deliberations for USAC funding hearings
““ an ignorant and undemocratic policy all members of Student
Power! endorse.

Doan, who has applied for student government funding for Bruin
Democrats, understands the frustration felt by many independent
campus groups regarding the unfair and increasingly mysterious
distribution process.

As IVP, Doan should focus on reforms like creating more
transparency in government.

Other aspects of her platform are not particularly well-suited
to the position for which she is applying.

She wants to create a Web site, hosted by bruinwalk.com, whose
advertising revenue assists in funding Student Media, the Daily
Bruin’s parent organization, with information on housing,
restaurants and other aspects of Westwood.

But the site will likely launch even if she is not elected.
Doan’s platform, like Tseng’s, is filled with items
that have little to do with the powerful office of the IVP.

Still, Doan’s ability and desire to work with all kinds of
people to accomplish her goals and theirs is admirable.

She could be a strong leader in addressing students’
concerns about UCLA and student government, exploring reforms and
potential improvements across the board.

Doan may not have the right platform at this point in time
““ none of the candidates for IVP does ““ but she is the
right person for the job.