ASUC Elections

BCR candidate Victoria Mitchell

New leadership for Cal

By Christopher Page
From the April 2006 Print Edition

Recently the Patriot had a chance to sit down and interview Victoria Mitchell, the Berkeley College Republicans Party candidate for ASUC Senate, about her campaign. Victoria is a third-year student majoring in political science, a proud member of Delta Delta Delta sorority, and current Bay Area Vice Chair of the California College Republicans.

California Patriot: What are your top three goals for the ASUC in the upcoming year?
Victoria Mitchell: 1. I would really like to foster a sense of accountability to our fellow students. In my experience, the actions of our student government have not always reflected a well-rounded view of student opinion. Furthermore, promises have often gone unfulfilled. This has to stop. For the sake of our campus currently and in the future, we need a solid set of representatives to improve what we can in our collegiate experience as best as possible. As a senator, I will find out what students want, and then follow through.

2. The ASUC wastes too much of our time and money — it’s time to be not only accountable, but efficient too. I want to cut back on useless bureaucratic spending and put the money where it belongs: student groups. No wasting time, no wasting money.

3. I want to show the ASUC that the conservatives on this campus have a voice. All students deserve to have their opinions heard. Conservatives usually aren’t heard; instead we’re dismissed based on assumptions and a clear bias. Berkeley is all about free speech and equality but sometimes I wonder if those rights only apply to one side of the political spectrum. I want to prove that we, as conservatives, deserve those rights too. I’ll make us heard.

CP: What is your view on ASUC spending? How can it be improved?
VM: Overspending and spending on unnecessary projects are the biggest problems with the ASUC. Both in my experience as an intern for student government and as a student who follows campus events, I’ve seen more unnecessary spending than I thought possible. Instead of wasting money on programs that students don’t actually want and won’t actually use, the ASUC should give more of its money to student groups that will effect real change on our campus. It’s hard enough getting through college considering how expensive it is; I can only hope that my money is being spent on valuable programs and not on empty or unrealistic goals that will go unfinished. We should see the benefits of our university fees and not wonder where all that money is going.

CP: How will you represent those students who are not Republican?
VM: As a senator, I’m not going to look at an issue and say, “How can this benefit Republicans?” That’s not what student government is for, and that’s not what I’m about. I’m going to look at every issue and say, “How can this benefit all of us?” Sure, I identify with Republicans, and that’s an important part of my life, but other student groups are also just as important to me. I don’t feel like I belong to just one community, and I certainly wouldn’t represent just one community … I feel like I belong to the Cal community as a whole. I will always focus on the big picture: improving our entire campus.

CP: Do you think the ASUC truly represents all students and their concerns?
VM: The ASUC does try to represent all students and their concerns, and I commend their efforts because it’s no easy task. But until student government representatives and programs are more equally and readily accessible there will never be a full understanding of what all students want. Students need to know what’s going on and know where to go to raise an issue. Then, once students do raise an issue, those issues need to be legitimately considered. Bias has no place in student representation. Things should never be one-sided, and unfortunately it seems like they are all too often.

CP: What motivated you to run for a spot in the senate?
VM: I worked as an ASUC intern — I saw the flaws. Ever since, I have been motivated to effect real change for the school I love. I’m a Cal fan in every sense of the word, and seeing our campus thrive is what motivates me to work hard. We’re the No. 1 public university in the world, and there’s no doubt that our unique character is something unparalleled anywhere else. Our student government needs to live up to the standard of excellence that our reputation carries. In my experience both working with the ASUC as an intern and as an active member of student groups, I have witnessed the outstanding need for accountability, efficiency, and integrity. As a senator, I will work diligently to enact those principles through and through.

CP: Are there any ASUC programs you would like to see expanded or enhanced?
VM: There are so many resources available to students and specifically student groups. Unfortunately, students don’t even know they exist. The grant program, for example, is hardly used because student groups don’t know where to go to access that money. This reflects the definite lack of awareness. For things as important as group funding, there needs to be a readily accessible source of information. The ASUC needs to expand communication to all students to inform them about the resources that could be so easily at their disposal. By improving campus awareness we can all benefit.

CP: Any final thoughts?
VM: It’s time to start working for students again. Go Bears!

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