Earl Warren College Junior Senator and A.S. presidential candidate Daniel Palay spent three weeks during winter quarter handpicking his slate. According to Palay, his tailored SHOCK! platform has three facets: affordability, academic performance and satisfaction.

“”We cannot accept lackluster academic performance simply because the administration has failed to fund the appropriate academic resources,”” Palay said in an e-mail. “”My plan calls for Student Affairs and Academic Affairs to share the burden of funding O.A.S.I.S. [Office of Academic Support and Instructional Services] so that we can best accommodate all students seeking help.””

The slate also plans to tackle parking, Residential Security Officers and campus safety, which its members consider the most problematic hurdles for students. And with a strong emphasis on improving UCSD’s social atmosphere, SHOCK! candidates want to work with the Student Organizations and Leadership Oppurtunities office to promote student organizations, revitalize interest in the University Centers and keep Geisel Library open 24 hours during finals week, in addition to increasing programming funds and using athletics as a means of achieving community spirit.

“”Athletics is the only thing on this campus that can truly unite the entire campus,”” Palay said.

But there are a few things that set Palay and the SHOCK! slate apart.

First is their decision to decline voluntary spending limits. They did so because they are running against the Student Voice! slate, which has experience running a successful campaign, and because they did not want to risk disqualification, Palay said.

Another is the slate’s choice not to campaign for beer gardens at Sun God Festival.

“”We must remember that our first commitment to our students on SunGod, other than the large concert, is their safety, and a beer garden would require so much security that it would be fiscally irresponsible for us to have it,”” said Palay, who said he has maintained heavy communication with the A.S. Programming Office and would be hesitant to endorse anything regarding Sun God as of yet. Palay also said he is interested to see how this year’s event will go before proposing any changes to the event’s procedures.

In addition to SHOCK!’s goals, Palay’s statement of purpose, located on the A.S. Elections Web site, outlines his priorities as potential council president. One of these is to work with the new vice chancellor of student affairs to ensure undergraduates are represented to the administration.

“”The administration can be our greatest ally if we engage them in an open dialogue or our greatest foes if we don’t,”” Palay said. “”I will be at the vice chancellor’s office on July 1, ready to start a new era of shared governance or reciprocity instead of animosity and, most importantly, of mutual respect for both of our jobs and constituencies.””

He also plans to increase lobbying efforts to fund financial aid and research. Though Palay lacks direct lobbying experience, he said he worked in Washington, D.C. and had a chance to observe professional lobbyists. If elected, he plans to put full support behind the vice president of external affairs to accomplish this goal.

Palay has also made recent uncertainty regarding the Grove Caffe’s future a central part of his campaign. At the final council meeting of winter quarter, councilmembers discussed possibly closing the Grove, while employees of the restaurant suggested breaking away from the A.S. Council and becoming a co-op.

Though Palay said he hasn’t spoken with the A.S. Enterprise Office or the Grove Caffe regarding the matter, he wants to keep the business the way it is and increase revenue with a larger advertising effort once Student Center construction is completed.

Palay is a three-time senator from Warren College, in addition to his experience on the Interfraternity Council; the Athletics, Recreation, Sports Facilities Advisory Board; and the Transportation Policy Committee.

“”As a member of the Transportation Policy Committee, I have fought tirelessly to help students with their parking grievances,”” Palay said. “”And so far, I have been successful in reducing the average cost per dollar for parking as well as worked to institute resident versus nonresident parking in an effort to ensure campus safety for overnight parking and late-night arrivals.””