Promising to continue much of the work that has been
accomplished by the current Academic Affairs commissioner of the
Undergraduate Students Association Council, the unopposed Eligio
Martinez of Students First! is an appealing candidate.
As the current chief of staff of the Academic Affairs
commission, Martinez ““ along with current Academic Affairs
Commissioner Sophia Kozak ““ worked throughout the year toward
an implementation of a diversity requirement.
The commitment that was made by their office and other students
proved worthwhile when the executive board of the Academic Senate
made a commitment to implement a diversity requirement by fall 2005
““ one of the biggest victories the SF! slate has claimed. The
office also worked to obtain departmental status for the César
E. Chávez Center for Interdisciplinary Instruction in
Chicana/o Studies, a process that is in its last stages of
completion.
As it stands, the proposed diversity requirement would implement
a one-course requirement. But Martinez has said the proposal is too
vague and that he would push for a two-course requirement that
would better emphasize diversity in the curriculum.
Martinez has also pledged to work to repeal the expected
cumulative progress requirement, which has proved detrimental to
countless students forced to balance a full load of classes with
work and other activities. Lastly, Martinez wants to expand the
“experimental college” ““ a program initiated this
year that allows students to create and run their own classes.
Martinez’s significant involvement in the commission makes
him the obvious choice.