Important news, survey, info from your new ASUC President

Dear Student,

My name is Will Smelko, and I am ... a senior at Cal, a Political Science major, a San Diego native, a Cal club baseball player, a member of a fraternity, and your newly elected ASUC President for 2009-10. In campaigning for this position, I saw the awesome and diverse identities represented on our campus - and how many causes and projects you want to see supported on this campus in the next year to make life at Cal that much better.

While my fellow Executives, Senate members, and I were only elected recently, we are busy at work throughout this summer preparing the ASUC for this new year and new direction. We want the ASUC to be a student government for all students that helps make the initiatives you care about become a reality. We have big dreams for transforming the ASUC to be more transparent, more effective, and a more positive influence on your life at Cal.

In our effort to help students understand what the ASUC does for the campus community and what it can do for you, I will be sharing information with students on a regular basis. We look forward to your input and comments, and seek your engagement in all of the great student initiatives going on throughout the year on campus. Please read on for the latest news at the ASUC, and Go Bears!

Will Smelko

1. The ASUC survey.

Next year the ASUC will be organizing programs that foster community and learning outside the classroom, taking up policy initiatives that will improve student life, and enhancing the commercial operations of the ASUC. Help us kick off this bold initiative by sharing your thoughts and opinions with this short survey (only five questions) so that the ASUC can get your input and feedback. (And, you have a chance to win one of three iPods too).

2. Read about some of the fantastic services the ASUC already offers.

ASUC Lecture Notes: High-quality notes delivered online the day after class.

Multicultural Center: A place to engage Cal's diversity, to study, and to learn about student involvement in social change initiatives.

Art Studio: Huge variety of classes and creative space for artists.

The Scholar's Workstation: Academic discounts on computer hardware and software, located in the Cal Student Store.

Cal Student Store: The best place to buy everything from textbooks to sweatshirts, and they will match the prices of any bricks-and-mortar store in Berkeley.

Cal Lodge: Student hostel at Tahoe.

3. Fill out the Advocacy Agenda.

Each year the ASUC puts together an Advocacy Agenda, or "series of student concerns to be advocated for by the ASUC Senate." Tell the ASUC what's important to you this year - will it be student health, academic resources improvement, more fun events for student life, or something else? The ASUC meets regularly with the Chancellor and can get your student concerns on the table. We are your student voice!

4. Read more about the ASUC itself.

ASUC website: Check here for staff and internship applications, and all student government info.

The ASUC Auxiliary: The supporting wing of the student-run ASUC; check here for news items and a complete listing of all ASUC programs and services.

Sign up for the ASUC Auxiliary's online newsletter and get all the news of student government, special programs, discounts and events at Newsletter Sign-up Page. You can specify which programs you are interested in, and opt out at anytime.