AS approves Sun God Festival budget increase
The Associated Student Senate approved an additional funding request of $185,000 for this year’s Sun God Festival to support talent recruitment, festival programming, and rising costs.
The request, brought forward by A.S. Concerts and Events, passed with 24 votes in favor, none in opposition, and 12 members abstaining.
The 2025-26 A.S. Executive Budget had previously allocated $1.22 million to the Sun God Festival. These existing funds will be directed toward “non-negotiable” expenses such as security, health and safety measures, and a new RIMAC field festival layout, according to ASCE.
ASCE Associate Vice President Emily Parviz said the additional sum would help ASCE recruit artists that better reflect student demand, expand genre diversity across artist slots, and pursue a stronger headliner. Parviz also added that it will help “activate” the RIMAC field with interactive experiences.
To compensate for increasing festival costs, ASCE has cut the budgets of other events, such as Horizon. Parviz said this allocation is intended to be a one-time solution.
Jack Derby appointed as off-campus senator
The A.S. Senate appointed Jack Derby as off-campus senator with 21 votes in favor, none in opposition, and 15 members abstaining. The appointment fills a vacancy left by former Off-Campus Senator Lizbeth Diaz, who was originally elected last Spring.
Two off-campus senators are elected per academic year. These senators represent students who live off campus and advocate for issues such as housing, transportation, and access to campus resources. Derby will serve alongside current Off-Campus Senator Francisco Becerra for the remainder of the academic year.
A Senate committee including Becerra, Executive Vice President Mina Nguyen, Warren College Senator Daniel Sitanggang, Eighth College Senator Jonah Kravitz, and Marshall College Senator Nelly Zapata-Castillo selected Derby after an “extensive” hiring process.
MSA gives special presentation on Ramadan
The Senate heard a presentation from International Senator Arif Ruslan and Muslim Student Association Logistics Coordinator Hannan Ashraf on the needs of Muslim students during the month of Ramadan, which begins on Tuesday.
The MSA provides religious, cultural, and social support for Muslim students at UCSD and promotes “Islamically advised” lifestyles in university life.
Ruslan and Ashraf explained the significance of various Ramadan activities and recommended accommodations to support Muslim students during this month. These include academic flexibility for deadlines and exams, access to halal food in dining halls, dedicated quiet spaces for prayer and security, mindfulness of energy levels, interpersonal support, and open dialogue.
Ruslan and Ashraf emphasized that students must be able to express their religious beliefs in university spaces.
