INTERNAL VICE PRESIDENT: Cendana on the right track with platforms

Gregory Cendana of Students First! might not be the perfect
candidate for the office of internal vice president, but he brings
in the right ideas, a significant quantity of enthusiasm, and maybe
even the right amount of know-how.

If he fleshes out his platforms a bit more, Cendana would be a
solid IVP next year, and we’re banking on that potential by
endorsing him.

Even though Cendana is running on better platforms than any
other IVP candidate, his ideas were sometimes vague. For example,
his goal to unite student on-campus workers under an umbrella
organization that lets them voice complaints or concerns is nice in
theory. But the powers the organization would have to bring about
real change are unclear, as is the extent to which the idea would
be embraced by students.

Another of his ideas, an Associated Students UCLA discount
program in which students would pay a flat fee at the beginning of
the year for discounts and perks at ASUCLA stores, eateries and
events, falls along similar lines: Great concept, but we have some
questions about its feasibility.

But even if Cendana’s platforms don’t pan out
exactly as he envisions (which is not to say they won’t), his
goals are clearly oriented in the right direction: namely, toward
saving students money while also making sure the on-campus job
market is student-friendly.

Cendana’s third platform, to bring quarterly student-group
recruitment fairs to the Hill, will likely build strong
relationships among the council, student groups and the burgeoning
population in the dorms.

Cendana’s opponent with Slate Refund, David Lazar, is also
passionate, but his platform lacked details beyond merely giving
students back their money.

The third candidate for IVP, Stacy Chang of Bruins United, has a
wealth of experience with all sorts of campus communities ““
including athletics and the Greek system ““ but her goals
seemed scattered and her understanding of the IVP office and the
council in general appears less extensive than Cendana’s.

We do feel Chang could inject a fresh perspective and some
energy into the IVP office ““ just not as the head officer. If
Cendana is elected, we definitely see a spot for Chang somewhere on
his staff.