Berkeley — March 12, 2008: CalSERVE, the longest running political party on the UC Berkeley campus, released its executive slate today for the upcoming ASUC elections, to be held from April 8-10. Running for President is current ASUC Senator Roxanne Winston; for Executive Vice President, Krystle Pasco; for Academic Affairs Vice President, Carlo de la Cruz; and, for External Affairs Vice President, chief of staff in the Office of External Affairs Vice President, Dionne Jirachaikitti:

Last year, CalSERVE candidates committed themselves to overhauling the ASUC with their “5 steps to change” platform. With ASUC elections right around the corner, it is clear that they have delivered on their message of change.

“We have accomplished so many things this year like a $750,000 commitment from the university for Lower Sproul Redevelopment, longer business hours on Telegraph, and the success of the Count Me In Campaign,” said current ASUC Senator and presidential candidate Roxanne Winston.

“Yet there is so much more that needs to be done,” said Winston. “Students should expect more from their student government officials than merely showing up and casting a vote. Everyday, students tell me how crucial it is to them that a progressive voice be present in the ASUC to push for campaigns that have the potential to change the lives of not only students, but people everywhere. The CalSERVE coalition is centered around this ideal.”

Getting Berkeley students to reach beyond the campus bubble will be central to the campaign of current chief of staff in the Office of External Affairs Vice President and EAVP candidate Dionne Jirachaikitti. “Young people will literally determine the outcome of several elections this year, even the Presidential election. We need someone in the External Affairs office who knows the importance of turning out the student vote, how to work with local, state and national officials, and knows how to build coalitions with other campuses.”

“We also want to make sure students feel empowered to make change on campus,” said member of the negotiating team for the Multicultural Center and candidate for Executive Vice President Krystle Pasco. “I will continue working on the establishment of a space that will meet the needs of all students, which is the Multicultural Center. Furthermore, there must be continued progress in development plans for the remaking of Eshleman Hall and the MLK Jr. Student Union Building. Overall, it is crucial that we as students make sure we have a say in the decisions that are being made at our university.”

“Transparency in all processes is really the key,” said candidate for Academic Affairs Vice President Carlo de la Cruz. “We need to put money back into the hands of students. I support the grants, but the mismanagement of these grants has led to over $60,000 of unspent money that could have gone to student events, programs and activities. I will stop the current closed-door manner in which decisions are made and make sure we put the power back in the hands of students. The Academic Affairs Office that I envision will fight for an increased student voice on academic and university committees. Only then can we bring back dead week, move the drop deadline back to the eight week, and change the student withdrawal policy.”

“I think we all understand that many of the changes we have committed to are long-term commitments,” said de la Cruz. “But with the continued support of students, we can and will make change together.”