When requested concerning the function of the EAVP, Alex Edgar emphasised his purpose: “Be that megaphone to the scholar physique.”
In response to Edgar, the EAVP is the external-facing head who ought to demystify ASUC initiatives and make them extra accessible. He needs to be hands-on about pupil voices being heard — each at native and nationwide ranges.
Whereas Edgar stated Votechella — a live performance collection centered round making civic engagement extra about civic pleasure — gained’t be taking place this semester, he has different targets in thoughts. These embrace bringing extra underrepresented college students to foyer in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., acquiring extra psychological well being assets for everybody and dealing towards the institution of a housing committee on campus. He moreover plans on increasing pupil security protocols, significantly with regard to dorm life.
He harassed that step one to bringing this assist to college students is simply displaying up within the first place — Edgar plans to proceed supporting coalitions on campus, comparable to LUCHA4LSRC and Justice for Ivonne. He acknowledges the significance of holding area for college kids and believes that the ASUC ought to push for extra involvement in spacing distribution on campus.
A kind of key areas is Eshleman Corridor, the place Edgar needs to ascertain a central hub with voting and polling assets. By centralizing democratic engagement in Eshleman Corridor, he hopes college students may have higher entry to voter assets and have interaction extra with politics which may in any other case really feel overwhelming.
On a nationwide stage, he highlighted the significance of scholars talking with media shops concerning the issues straight impacting the UC Berkeley neighborhood. One instance talked about is the present rulings on DACA, as Edgar needs to amplify DACA pupil voices in authorities and information. In response to Edgar, this may carry range, fairness and inclusion efforts to operate in a extra student-led means, not only a university-led one.
Edgar brings a withstanding ardour for pupil engagement and uplifting voices in our neighborhood. Nevertheless, he admitted that the connection between the ASUC and college students — particularly college students from marginalized communities — is a shaky one.
With a view to accomplish his targets, he may even need to mitigate any mistrust college students have towards the ASUC. And though displaying up for pupil coalitions brings a way of neighborhood, Edgar may even must push the ASUC to actively maintain the campus administration accountable if he needs to see his actions make tangible change in assist of scholars.
His plans for a polling hub in Eshleman Corridor appear possible, however based on Edgar, this would be the first time in years the ASUC won’t need to pay any cash for a polling location. Bringing college students to Sacramento and Washington, D.C. additionally requires funds, so it’s crucial to make sure there may be cash to make these initiatives final.
Edgar needs to be the megaphone for the scholar physique, however we consider it’s necessary to notice he ran unopposed — similar to his predecessor. Responses from college students themselves will in the end resolve in the event that they really feel heard.
