The secret revolutionary

An interview with the leader of the ASUC abolition campaign

By Andrew R Quinio
From the October 2005 Print Edition

Editor’s Note: In the October Issue of the Patriot, we featured a condensed version of an interview with the individual conducting a campaign to abolish the ASUC. The following is the complete interview.

Upset at the ASUC? Why not scrap the whole institution. That is what one Berkeley Blogger intends to do. Under the alias of DTI, one student is launching his campaign to abolish Berkeley’s student government through his blog, abolishtheasuc.blogspot.com. The Patriot caught up with this anonymous usurper to find out more about the plan to take down the ASUC.

California Patriot: Are you serious? Is abolishing the ASUC for real?

DTI: Two years ago I made a decision that I wanted to abolish the ASUC. At first it wasn't very serious and I was just mad at the ruling administration for screwing things up... for example, the no on 54 campaign, our school president embarrassing himself by getting arrested, the overall fiscal irresponsibility. So naturally, I just decided to side with the other political party, Student Action because they promised an end to fiscal irresponsibility, an end to embarrassments, and a lot of them seemed genuine. Disproportionate funding to some groups and gross misuse of funds to prop up their special interests groups started to make me question a lot of their motives and practices.

CP: How strong do you think your campaign will grow?

DTI: I started out this campaign on a local cal blog: calstuff.org with a few supporters. Throughout the last year when I really contemplated overthrowing the ASUC a lot of people were skeptical. Many people I have talked to have been extremely enthusiastic about wanting to help overthrow the ASUC, and even more are willing to sign petitions and even help others sign petitions when the time comes.

CP: Can you legally abolish the ASUC?

DTI: The ASUC can be abolished through referendum, which would take 1,000 signatures to get on the ballot. From there, I believe 60% of the student body has to vote yes to overthrow the ASUC.

CP: How embedded are you with the ASUC? Are you still working on the inside?

DTI: I started working with the ASUC not as an intern or an official but, ironically, as a campaigner. For three straight elections, I have been involved helping students get elected to the ASUC. I was blinded by the damage that I was causing the student body by helping people get elected who never benefited the students. In a way, it was sort of a moral calling to abolish the ASUC to fix what I had created in part. I am no longer working with the ASUC but I still keep in close contact with many members of the ASUC.

CP: The ASUC prides itself on being an autonomous student body. They will tell you that abolishing them will subject the students to the rule of non-student administrators. Isn't abolishing the ASUC rash?

DTI: First of all, I don't believe that the ASUC is an "autonomous student body." If it were autonomous, the students would voluntarily give up $55 a piece to the ASUC. Instead it has the mandatory student fees, collected by the University and distributed to the ASUC. I don't see abolishing the ASUC as subjecting the students to the rule of non-student administrators. Regardless of the several lobby groups the ASUC funds (with student money) to "bargain" with the University, the ASUC is always at the mercy of the University. Take for example, our third week drop deadline, the removal of our dead days, our rising student fees. If the ASUC were really a strong advocate for the students against non-student administrators, they would at least have some clout in determining our destiny.

CP: What about ASUC run and sponsored student events? Will their disappearance be a bad thing?

DTI: First of all, very few people know, least of all benefit from ASUC sponsored events. I tend to see the most successful events on campus being completely or almost completely student-run, not ASUC run. Most of the big events that are most memorable on campus are not ASUC run: Danceworx, Pilipino Culture Night, Debates put on by various departments, the affirmative action debate between BAMN and the Boalt Federalist society, and yes, protests. None of these need to be ASUC sponsored events. If the ASUC were abolished, student groups, which would have more money from individual funding, would easily put on events without the help of a patronizing ASUC.

CP: Why not just rely on the democratic system and campaign for and elect an ASUC that is more competent?

DTI: The ASUC has a saying, "serving students since 1887." The problem with the ASUC is a two-party system. Whenever the current administration messes things up, students, instead of taking the initiative to run for ASUC just flock to the alternative political party. However, once that party gets in power, they manage to screw up the system to varying degrees. This makes it nearly impossible for any third-party candidates who are genuine in overturning the power system to become elected. This year, five independent senators were elected, which was supposed to be a big change from the two that were elected the year before. However, both parties have the organization and diehard loyalty to resist any third-party candidates. The (un)democratic system leaves third party candidates a the mercy of armies of flyerers, sign holders and Sproul walkers. Once in the party, both major parties coerce their members to vote certain ways, so even individual senators who want to defect from the values of the party system often face shame and humiliation.

CP: Do you think the current ASUC is worried about your campaign? Should they be worried?

DTI: I honestly think the ASUC sees my campaign as a nuisance. Their whole philosophy for not caring is basically that it's too hard to actually get a referendum on the ballot and after that, it's also hard to get an apathetic campus to vote 60% in favor of abolition. I talked to some of the ASUC members about the abolition and their attitudes were, "eh, it'll pass." The foundation of my campaign is lack of accountability in all respects. ASUC and executives are not held accountable for their actions. Many senators do not aspire to higher office, nor do they seek a second term. Those who seek a second term are backed by a small band of loyal constituents who can guarantee them a spot as a returning senator. The only people who really have to worry about being held accountable are senators who aspire to higher office. Then again, the only thing that will beat them is the "other" party, being equally corrupt, will face similar problems and it's essentially going to be the battle of the lesser of two evils. The ASUC should be worried. The student body has always resented the ASUC but either didn't have the time to find out how to abolish the ASUC or were intimidated by its size

CP: So why the anonymity?

DTI: I believe revealing myself (being a campus leader in many ways) would compromise the integrity of the campaign. My view is that liberals and conservatives should be able to get together and find common ground for the abolition of the ASUC. I am working on producing a broad coalition of forces to help in the effort, and by revealing myself, my ties with various other groups will be revealed and thus make it harder for me to be an effective organizer. Being anonymous also puts me under the radar of a lot of the ASUC officials that I have worked with, many of whom are my friends. Finally, the more these officials know about me and my motives for change, the more likely they will be able to try and stop the movement in the beginning.

CP: Are there any ASUC senators/execs you do like?

DTI: I like a majority of the ASUC executives and senators, and candidates as well. This past year, I especially appreciated the passions of many CalSERVE senators. The issue is not whether or not I like them as individuals or even agree with them on issues. My problem with the ASUC is its party structure and institutionalized inefficiency that stems from the bureaucracy and the party structure. I helped campaign for several people of all parties because I liked them as people, not because I particularly agreed with the ideals of the ASUC. Revealing individual names would crucify my anonymity. I believe good-intentioned officials' hands are tied behind their backs.

CP: In a single sentence, why should the ASUC be abolished? Think of this as your campaign slogan.

DTI: "it's time to do what is right"

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