CalSERVE Executive Slate Candidates Announced

After winning the majority of executive officer positions last year, CalSERVE announced its executive slate of candidates for this year's ASUC elections yesterday.

The party will run CalSERVE Senator Roxanne Winston as the presidential candidate, partymember Krystle Pasco as the executive vice presidential candidate, External Affairs Vice President's Chief of Staff Dionne Jirachaikitti as the external affairs vice presidential candidate and partymember Carlo de la Cruz as the academic affairs vice presidential candidate.

ASUC President Van Nguyen said he is confident in his party's nominations.

"These candidates have more experience than we did," he said. "They really know how to bring the student community together and they are ready to lead."

CalSERVE saw a major shift last year when three members of the party's slate rose to executive officer positions, including Nguyen. The majority of the association's executive positions had previously been held by members of the Student Action party since 2004.

Winston said she hopes to advocate for cultural diversity and increased student access if elected.

"The ASUC should be invested in the life and interest of the students and care about their experiences," she said. "I want the students to be more aware of the different options and services available to them and make sure there's a level of transparency in the services the ASUC offers."

Though three of the four CalSERVE candidates on last year's slate had served as senators, Winston is the only senator on this year's slate. But the executive candidates said their experience has prepared them for their respective positions.

"I think I'm qualified for the job from my previous experiences working with administrators and facilitating the DE-Cal program," said de la Cruz, who also serves as the co-community liaison for the Pilipino American Alliance along with Pasco. "I'm running for not just another ASUC office, I am running because I want to empower the students in this area where I really see the potential for more student involvement."

Some said they are not optimistic about the slated candidates.

"Last year's CalSERVE candidates failed to carry out their promises, such as bringing more transparency into the ASUC through webcasting," said SQUELCH! Senator Gabe Weiner. "This year's CalSERVE senators have taken radical positions out of sync with the rest of the Cal students."

Other senators said that the slate could bring a new perspective to the association if elected into office.

"Though the general student body usually looks for experience, I feel these candidates will bring a new drive and a new energy to revitalize the ASUC," said Independent Senator Nadir Shams.

The ASUC elections candidate filing period ends this Friday at 5 p.m. Elections will be held April 8-10.

Tags: ASUC, CALSERVE