ASUC gives Prop 73 special attention

Sharon Han spends own money on “No on 73” material

By Andrew R Quinio
Posted on 11/03/05

The Associated Students of the University of California, the student government of UC Berkeley, took a stance against Proposition 73, the initiative that requires parental notification for minors seeking an abortion. The ASUC however took one step further and printed flyers which advertise the ASUC’s position against parental notification. But it was not student fee money that paid for the material, but rather External Vice President Sharon Han’s own money.

The ASUC voter guide, which will be handed out to students for the November 8 Special election, includes a flyer advertising the ASUC’s position on Prop 73. In order to remain compliant with university policy, Han used her own money to make copies of the flyers, according to one Student Action leader.

According to university policy 66.00, “student governments may not use University resources to support or oppose a particular candidate or ballot proposition in a non-University political campaign.” The flyers cost approximately $10 to copy. Han has the right to make copies of the flyer as long as she does not use student fees to do so.

This situation is different from that which occurred in 2003, when the ASUC earmarked $35,000 of student funds for “No on 54” campaign material. Proposition 54, which was rejected by California voters, would have prevented state and local governments from classifying any person by race, ethnicity, color, or national origin. UC Berkeley administrators froze the $35,000 allocation, citing its violation of University policy.

In late September, the ASUC passed a bill, authored by Taylor Allbright and Becca Cramer of the No on 73 Coalition at UC Berkeley, which required ASUC President Manny Buenrostro to send to the Campaign for Teen Safety a No on Prop 73 endorsement form and the senate to endorse a no vote on Prop 73.

Sharon Han, external Vice President for the ASUC, departed from the bill and prepared the voter guide without printing the ASUC no on 73 endorsement note. Squelch Senator Ben Narodick wanted to ensure that the Senate’s wishes were being followed, prompting a flyer to be created and distributed in place of the endorsement note missing from the voter guide.

The flyers state the official ASUC stance against Prop 73 and feature the official ASUC logo.

Proposition 73 is the only proposition in the ASUC voter guide that is given special attention. No other proposition is supplemented with a flyer detailing its endorsements.

Editor's Note: article clarified, 11/04

If you enjoyed this article, please consider supporting the Patriot