Sam Perez Elected Prez

Former ASG VP moves up in campus politicsEmma PollansAssociate Reporter May 3, 2018In an uncontested race, Santa Clara juniors Samantha Perez and Jahwala Johns will assume the positions of Associated Student Government (ASG) president and vice president, respectively.Elections were held on eCampus on April 30. Selections were available for student body president, vice president, senate chair and respective class senators.Their three-part platform “Engage, Enrich, and Empower,” featured multiple plans aimed toward improving the quality of student life. These included promises to open more direct lines of communication between students, ASG and university administration.Specifics include ensuring that students are directly involved in the conversations about changes being made, especially as the core curriculum is up for re-assessment. Additionally, ensuring that the results of the campus climate survey are released and that changes are being made in accordance with the results.Plans to improve sexual and mental health among students can be found throughout their platform. This includes investing in more mental health programs, reforming the contraceptive distribution policy, and replacing “Can’t Thread a Moving Needle.”They also wish to establish communication between Santa Clara and Greek life in order to have more conversations about sexual assault and mental health. Their platform also included promises to establish groups to help combat issues of diversity and underrepresentation, such as collaborating with the Undocumented Student and Ally Association to provide a stable, financial support system for undocumented students on campus.There was also an effort to establish a faculty working group to focus on diversity and supporting Unity 4 in holding Santa Clara accountable for promises made in the Blue Ribbon Commission Report. These promises include placing more faculty of color on tenure track and working with admissions to engage prospective students of color. Lastly, their platform listed plans to enhance ASG’s support in various aspects of Santa Clara. This includes Ruff Riders, the alumni office and supporting students in voter registration and contacting their local, state and federal representatives.Also in an uncontested race, junior Alex Pearlman will assume the position of Senate Chair.Contact Emma Pollans at epollans@scu.edu or call (408) 554-4852.