Positive change lies in Students First! vote

Students First! has a legacy of enhancing student life and
advocating for change both on campus and beyond the UCLA
bubble.

This year, Students First!, which was formerly Student Power!,
successfully lobbied the governor to freeze student fees, putting
$500 back into every student’s pocket for the 2006-2007
school year. Students First! offices also helped mobilize and
organize for the University of California divestment from Sudan,
opened the communal office for all student organizations, and
hosted fun large-scale programs, including the Bruin Bash concert
with artists Common and Thrice.

Students deserve representatives who will continue to enhance
student life, not simply maintain the status quo. Students First!
will work to increase student and faculty diversity, as well as
ensure more students are eligible for financial aid.

Students First! will provide extended operating hours for safe
van-ride services, create a spirituality room for Bruins who want a
quiet place to reflect or pray, and provide discounts on textbooks
and food.

In addition to their firm plans to directly benefit all UCLA
students, Students First! candidates currently hold positions such
as chairwoman of the Student Initiated Access Committee and vice
chairman of the Student Fee Advisory Committee.

Their experience is second to none and has helped them secure
the relationships necessary to be effective council members. As
officers on the Undergraduate Students Association Council,
Students First! candidates will use their vast knowledge of UCLA
and broad campus experience to truly serve the entire student
body.

Bruins United candidates’ platforms, however, provide
little benefit for UCLA. They pledge to simply replicate programs
already in place instead of working to enhance student life.

For example, Bruins United promises to bring a pub to campus.
But the Associated Students UCLA pub is already underway ““
these plans have been in ASCULA’s master plan for years.

P.C. Zai’s promise to label sweat-free clothing is
actually a step backward. On May 5, after a campaign Students
First! candidates helped to organize, University of California
President Robert Dynes made a commitment to purchase and sell only
sweat-free clothing through the entire UC system. Labeling any
merchandise is therefore unnecessary.

Joline Price’s plan to bring a farmers’ market to
campus is also unrealistic. After looking into this option during
my term as president, I learned that bringing the market to campus
would cost $6,000 per visit. Not only can the Southland
Farmers’ Market not afford this, they are currently making
arrangements for their return to Westwood Village.

Finally, Marwa Kaisey’s plan to create a “USAC
Fellowship” will duplicate the USAC Student Empowerment
Internship that has existed for the last three years. Students
First! greatly expanded the internship in the past year and
provided course credit for internship participation for the first
time. Initiating a new program is unnecessary.

I urge UCLA to vote for the individuals who have innovative
platforms, not those who co-opt others’ work to win an
election.

Students First! candidates will continue to be at the forefront
of change on campus. Students First! candidates have taken great
steps to make this campus more diverse, affordable and safe, and
will build on their experience next year in USAC.

Wood is this year’s USAC president.