Though she is running unopposed, Dorothy Young’s qualifications warrant her a nearly guaranteed win for the office with which she is exhaustively familiar. Young’s extensive experience with lobbying efforts through both the UC Students Association and United States Student Association will help UCSD get into the minds of our local and national legislators.
A firm understanding of the office’s impact beyond its tenets of outreach and retention. Formation of a lobby corps will establish and maintain a rapport with politicians in support of student interests. Localized goals will create a much-needed link with the university’s surrounding La Jolla neighborhood, as well as other colleges.
The success of the Student Voice! slate is strongly tied to Young’s own success – the slate’s platforms of outreach, retention and student power are based largely on the success of the external affairs department. Some of the slate’s heady goals include the formation of a lobby corps that will continually court politicians and lobby for student interests.
Also, Young and SV! hope to build a coalition with local universities to help San Diego area colleges to foster a more effective lobbying relationship and provide a united front for students to demonstrate their political sway. Our connection to the local community of La Jolla is also something on which Young has strived to work, via the newly created position of associate vice president of local affairs.
The past two years have seen the external affairs office weakened by scandals, with accusations of fund misuse marring previous department heads.
However, Young has an apt grasp on the level of scrutiny that will now be leveled on the office. Her desire to create a politically robust external affairs office while maintaining transparency will hopefully prevent a re-emergence of shadiness.
Young will also strive to bolster student control, specifically in retention services that she wants to maintain as a student-initiated and student-run endeavors.
Her commitment to forming a united student front that represents all UCSD students, is crucial in that lobbying efforts benefit all UCSD students – not just the loudest voices on campus.
