AS hosts special presentations
Associated Students representatives heard special presentations about the Mosaic Minds Research Fair and a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Basic Needs Expo.
Fourth-year students Nadia Celaya Carrillo and Makaila Jackson requested funding for the Mosaic Minds Research Fair, a symposium they described as “amplifying the voices of diverse students in academia” by giving participants resources to create, collaborate on, and present scientific research. MMRF — set to be held on April 30 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Price Center Ballroom West — will platform researchers from diverse and minority backgrounds.
“Especially now with the political climate at UCSD … it’s important to highlight students of color because we deserve to do research and be represented,” Carillo said.
Jackson stated the symposium’s fundraising goal is $8,000 to $12,000. The team requested that A.S. aid it in attaining co-sponsorship, grants, and external funds from campus research centers and departments. MMRF will open applications at the beginning of the Spring Quarter.
Seventh College Senator Kieran Matsuoka-Nguyen shared a presentation expressing concerns about programming budget cuts, an increased atmosphere of hate on campus, and an “anti-trans event next week” — a reference to the Young Americans for Freedom club at UCSD’s “Keep Men Out of Women’s Sports” event this Wednesday in opposition to transgender athletes in sports.
Matsuoka-Nguyen also announced their tabling event: a DEI and Basic Needs Expo where various organizations and resource centers are set to table to connect students in need to campus resources. The event is planned for April 16 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Price Center East Ballroom.
Simpson presents executive officer meeting report
Following last week’s walkout against ICE, A.S. President William Simpson reported that he presented Movimiento Estudiantil Chicanx por Activismo’s demands of UCSD to Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Campus Life Alysson Satterlund. He said he will also bring these demands to his next monthly meeting with Chancellor Pradeep Khosla.
Simpson also discussed recent student concerns related to the UCSDPD’s potential use of automated license plate readers. The Office of the Vice Chancellor’s Operations Management and Capital Programs issued a policy draft governing the use of ALPR’s on campus, which Khosla has moved into the review and editing stage.
Organizations like the UCSD Faculty Association, Trust San Diego Coalition, United Auto Workers Local 4811, the Students’ Civil Liberties Union, SPARk, Triton Democrats, and the Center on Policy Initiatives have submitted statements against implementing ALPRs in San Diego and at UCSD. These concerns are related to the possibility of sharing ALPR surveillance footage with the Department of Homeland Security; UCSD’s draft policy prohibits “disclosures to external entities … except where required by law.”
Simpson reported that the A.S. executive board met with UCSDPD Chief Lamine Secka on Thursday to present student concerns relating to ALPRs, surveillance cameras — such as the one on top of Geisel Library — and UCSDPD’s receipt of the DHS’ Operation Stonegarden funding.
Secka told A.S. that UCSDPD will not be applying for Operation Stonegarden funding next year and that the camera on top of Geisel does not use facial recognition technology.
Senate discusses miscellaneous agenda items
Cameron Ettefagh, associate vice president of college affairs praised Senator Daniel Leung Sitanggang’s contributions to the newly rewritten and ratified A.S. constitution.
“The result is a document that represents students clearly … and represents basic student needs in the executive branch,” Ettefagh said.
Ettefagh gifted Sitanggang a copy of the revised A.S. constitution that had been signed by a majority of members from the A.S. Senate.
A.S. appointed Lezley Bahena as campus-wide senator. Senator Isey Guzman shared upcoming plans for a medieval-style student fair next quarter, featuring the Kendo Club and Sun God Archery, the department of theatre and dance, and the San Diego Shakespeare Society.
