For the position of vice president external, there is one candidate who stands above the others in terms of experience and knowledge of the office: Steve Klass.
He is the current national affairs director for the A.S. Council’s external office and has stood out as one of the office’s most active members. Klass has extensive experience working with the UC Student Association and U.S. Student Association, the two major lobbying bodies to which UCSD belongs. He has also had experience dealing directly with the UC Board of Regents and UC Office of the President.
In addition to his massive body of experience, Klass will step up the push to get students’ voices heard on state and national levels. He is well aware that as students, we have little leverage with elected officials unless we improve our dismal turnout at voting booths. He plans to push for higher turnout of UCSD students by focusing on voter registration drives and including voter registration forms in freshman orientation materials. He also plans to have voter registration forms and voter education offered at UCSD’s Summer Bridge program.
To lobby more effectively for student interests, Klass plans to use partnerships with on-campus organizations to get more manpower behind important student issues.
Klass has a history of working with various student organizations to lobby elected officials, and he plans to try to make partnerships with the College Democrats, Student Affirmative Action Committee Organizations and the College Republicans.
The main philosophical difference between Klass and Sierra Catcott, another very strong candidate for vice president external, is that Catcott has more of a focus on lobbying at the local level, as opposed to Klass’ focus on the state and national level. Though Catcott’s desire to lobby for cheaper area-housing for students is admirable, this is simply not a realistic goal. UCSD’s student government has very little sway in La Jolla or even surrounding communities where more students live.
The only reason UCSD students have a strong lobbying voice on the state and national level is our membership in the USSA and UCSA, two well-funded organizations that use strength in numbers as their leverage, and these are the main avenues through which Klass plans to advocate student issues to elected officials.
Klass’ combination of experience and clear vision for the office make him UCSD’s best choice for the position of vice president external.
Additional candidates below:
