In an effort to increase the ASUC’s accountability, accessibility and transparency for the student body, the office of the ASUC Executive Vice President is advancing a number of changes to its operations.
Seeking to address problems that have plagued the ASUC in the past, such as consistent budget deficits and complications in student group funding, the EVP office has developed a streamlined application process for funding student groups and increased public access to senate meetings, among other changes.
The ASUC’s most visible and most notable change is the institution of a new application process for student groups seeking funding, said Nolan Pack, the executive vice president. Every year, the ASUC provides funding for hundreds of student groups and organizations on campus.
Whereas the old method of funding required a senator to sponsor a student organization and submit a bill on their behalf, the groups can now apply for funding independently through CalLink, a website that will help streamline the application process.
According to Pack, CalLink is currently in the testing phase and will be rolled out to all students groups within a few weeks. He said he hopes that the new application process will make funding opportunities more accessible to students while encouraging the ASUC to allocate its funds in a more responsible way.
“The whole form was online and it was really quick and efficient,” said Eniola Abioye, co-facilitator of Zawadi, the Black LGBT Community at Cal, who filed the sponsorship forms for the organization.
As the executive responsible for running senate meetings, Pack says he aims to increase transparency within the body. He will make ASUC meetings available via podcast so that more students can get involved in senate discussions.
“The goal is to make the discussion that’s happening transparent, to keep people accountable to what they say in senate and what goes on there,” he said.
The process of public comment at senate meetings will see changes this year as well, according to Senate Vice Chair Lizzy Hennes.
Hennes said that students can now access the agenda and send feedback through the ASUC website that will then be sent to the appropriate senate subcommittees. Additionally, there will be a public comment table with cards that people can fill out at the meeting, as well as an opportunity for public comment for each bill discussed.
The bill screening process has also been changed to accommodate public comment. The deadline for senators to submit bills for consideration has been moved up a day each week, allowing the public more time to give feedback and voice their opinion on a given bill before senate meetings.
Hennes said these changes will allow senators to make informed decisions with the public’s opinion in mind.
Jennie Yoon is the lead student government reporter. Contact her at [email protected].