Vote for #205: Sylvia “Makes It Happen” Flores

Experience

Coming Soon!

Platform

Interfaith Coalition Building and Empowerment: The current climate on campus around religious affiliation, faith journey and spiritual development cultivates ignorance and insular communities. Through the promotion of a “faith positive” campus and religious pluralism, we can help foster relationships across faith student groups as well as push for faith and spirituality to be a prominent aspect of student affairs administration. This will be done through the construction of interfaith and intrafaith dialogue groups, the creation and institutionalization of an interfaith council, and the development of an interfaith community through the social change model.

Cultivate Relations between Co-ops and ASUC: The Berkeley Student Cooperative is a non-profit organization with few ties to the University, little accountability to the ASUC yet provides a vibrant community for over 1250 students. A cohesive relationship can create a cooperative ASUC and accessible BSC. I will do this by building on this relationship through the BSC Affairs Officer within the ASUC, increasing the diversity of student experiences within the BSC through outreach efforts and making the BSC houses more accessible to student groups and events connected with the university.

Greater Investment in Arts and Humanities: Fiscal state of the UC is forcing budgets to be cut, revealing de-emphasis on programs related to Arts and Humanities. These programs need to be on the forefront to build the strong liberal arts we are so proud of. I will advocate for arts and humanities student groups as well as coalition build within those communities to facilitate conversations on the department level so as to empower students. Students will have a stronger connection to the university and thus build a stronger alumni base for funding and support.

The Path to ‘Higher-Higher’ Education

Not enough emphasis is placed on the transition from undergraduate to graduate level education. Undergraduates need more guidance and information about post-graduate education so that more pursue professional degrees. I will work on creating a mentor-ship program between graduate student programs and undergraduate resource centers so that undergraduates have supportive role models. I will also advocate for the funding of events that help de-mystify the admissions process of professional and graduate school programs.

Strengthen and Increase Student Services

Because of rampant budget cuts, access to student services and resources are limited. It is important to improve upon services and resources that promote the retention and academic enrichment of all students, including those that help incoming freshmen and transfer students transition to our campus. I will work with the Vice Chancellor of Equity and Inclusion and the Dean of Students to advocate for and secure an increase in financial aid resources, study spaces, and tutoring services for all students across the spectrum.

Provide Adequate Space for Student Groups

Due to Lower Sproul redevelopment, Eshleman Hall will be torn down and the allocation of temporary spaces will be decided on in the next couple of years. Student groups should have access to facilities that meet their needs. As a senator, I will advocate for accessible student spaces and will ensure that decisions about space allocation have student input and remain transparent.

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Endorsements

Melissa Mendez

Co-Chair, TRENZA*

Stephany Cuevas

Coordinator, Raza Recruitment and Retention Center*

Jesus Galindo

Co-Director of Voter Registration, ASUC External Affairs Vice President Office*

Oscar Mairena

ASUC Senator (08-09)*

Roxana Cruz

Co-Chair, Hermanas Unidas, Inc.*

Raul Hernandez

Co-Chair, Hermanos Unidos*

Juan Figueroa and Michael Chavez

Gamma Zeta Alpha*

Edgar Rodriguez Ramirez

Lambda Theta Phi*

Eli Leonardo

Chicano Architecture Student Association (CASA)*

Jen Pinal

Co-Chair, Chicanos/Latinos in Health Education*

Eloisa Madrigal

Seminar Lead, CLSD*

* Titles for Identification Purposes Only