Student elections are this week! If you’ve been on campus at all this quarter you probably noticed all of the colorful banners and posters asking for your vote, and you probably walked down the Arbor and collected pamphlets from student candidates. Now is the time to practice your right to vote for things that matter at UCSB. Isn’t it great to live in a democratic republic?
To vote in the spring student elections, go to https://vote.as.ucsb.edu. The ballot opened on Monday at 8am and will close at 4pm Thursday.
You will have to log in with your NetID and password, the same log in information that you would use for Gaucho Space. Next, certify that you are who you say you are, and then you’re on your way to vote!
Note that you have the option to abstain from voting for certain measures.
Here are some things to keep in mind when you vote.
1) What is O.P.P?
O.P.P. stands for Open People’s Party.
The party platform rests on the following:
- Academic excellence – Expanding classroom space, reducing textbook prices, and improving academic advising
- Communal safety – The creation of a Police Advisory Board and Sobering Center for students.
- Revitalization of Isla Vista – Organizing a campaign to transform Isla Vista into a “Community Services District.”
- Student jobs – Providing increased job and internship opportunities within A.S. and Santa Barbara, as well as networking with the Alumni Association to assign in job finding and placement post-graduation.
- Empowerment – Creating “How Does it Work?” videos that showcase how the University bureaucracy works, like how the UC budget is determined and the process of setting GE requirements.
- Fiscal responsibility – Reevaluating A.S. spending while also exploring new revenue sources that won’t result in increased student fees.
- Essential Services – Advocating for more resource centers for transfer students, veterans, and other under-represented student populations at UCSB. Also, introducing a 24-hour café for increased student jobs and healthy food options.
- Statewide Advocacy – Pushing for California legislation that will provide for resources for sexual assault survivors and veteran students.
2) What is DP? Isn’t that a street?
Yes. DP is the nickname for Del Playa, but it also stands for the Democratic Process Party.
The DP Mission Statement goes as followed:
“We believe Associated Students should be Associated with the Students. It was on this belief that we founded the Democratic Process Party. Our candidates were elected through an open general primary, where everyone had the opportunity to participate or run. That’s what makes our party unique. DP Party is the ONLY party in the ENTIRE state with a primary system.”
The Black Student Union (BSU) endorses the 2014 DP Party slate.
Candidates Navi and Daniela of the DP Party are endorsed by the Daily Nexus.
Don’t forget about the reaffirmations of existing constitutional lock-ins. Voting “YES” will not increase your A.S. fees. You have the option to vote “yes” or “no” to continue the funding of Education Opportunity Program (E.O.P.), Isla Vista Arts (IV Arts), Finance Board and Food Bank.
And just as important are the 2014 A.S. Fee Initiatives:
- The Student Union Revitalization Fund (SURF) Initiative that will reform the University Center.
- Composting Program Fee will support and sustain the Associated Students Department of Public Worms (DPW) composting program.
- Support Queer Commission and LBGTQ Students at UCSB: QComm would use the fee to provide funding for LGBTQ related events and programs.
- Senior Book: The Senior Book is a commemorative book created by UCSB students for the graduating class. So, it’s like a yearbook.
- Legal Resource Center: The Associated Students Legal Resource Center (LRC) provides legal education and consultation to students
- A.S. Bike Committee The A.S. Bike Committee will use this funding to implement a roundabout that will expand the intersection at the northwest corner of the SAASB (Student Affairs Administrative Services Building) building.
- Catalyst Literary Arts Magazine: The Catalyst Literary Arts Magazine is a quarterly student-run publication that provides a printed space for original student art and creative or academic writing.
And when you cast your ballot, there’s a GIF of a kitten playing Jenga.
Adorable. Happy voting!