Students First! candidate Chris Sweeten’s experience, passion and knowledge more than justify his endorsement for commissioner of diversity affairs. Sweeten’s priorities are to obtain more staff and resources for the office, which has suffered from a shortage of personnel and support. He wants to increase visibility of the LGBTQI Alliance Program and help the A.S. Women’s Commission do more than just organize “Take Back the Night” once a year. The commissioner of diversity affairs should be more than another Student Affirmative Action Committee representative to the A.S. Council, and Sweeten recognizes this.
He wants to increase the visibility of the office by engaging in volunteer work at the U.S.-Mexican border through A.S. Volunteer Connection. He plans to bring speakers to campus and work with the new chancellor for help to obtain funds. During his interview, Sweeten displayed a thorough knowledge of different means of obtaining funds, but also conveyed that he would not let a lack of funds get in the way of such necessary endeavors as outreach.
Sweeten has thoroughly considered every aspect of the position and, under his watch, the office could accomplish a lot. He promotes themed housing for women, students of color and LGBTQI students, complete with required curriculum for residents and a quarterly “unity session” in which the houses would come together and discuss their experiences. Sweeten is also dedicated to developing new curriculum with the Academic Senate to increase the attractiveness of the university to underrepresented applicants.
Formerly the Sixth College Student Council chair and a finalist for the Student Regent position last year, Sweeten has proven his leadership skills and has the ability to work both with administrators and with his fellow students.
Unity candidate Steven Lei is also quite qualified for the position, having worked on diversity issues in the president’s office this year. As a freshman, however, he lacks Sweeten’s experience and influence. Lei has excellent ideas about broadening the range of diversity affairs, such as organizing a campaign with other San Diego colleges, and could be a great asset to the office even if not commissioner. Sweeten, on the other hand, is already one of the most respected and involved students on campus and would be an even more effective student leader as commissioner of diversity affairs.
