This post was updated April 30 at 2:46 p.m.
Candidates for the Undergraduate Students Association Council’s external vice president position emphasized the importance of uplifting student perspectives and supporting marginalized communities at a Wednesday debate.
The USA Elections Board and the Daily Bruin co-hosted a series of debates between candidates in the upcoming USAC election. Two candidates are running to be the external vice president.
Cecilia Choy, a third-year English, labor studies and political science student, said during the debate that, if elected, she plans to encourage students to advocate for 2026 gubernatorial candidates and Assembly Constitutional Amendment 18 – which would add another student position to the UC Board of Regents.
Choy added during the debate that she has three years of experience working in the EVP office, has held basic needs events and helped organize the Bruin Advocacy Grant, an EVP fund that supports campus groups engaged in advocacy and lobbying.
Choy aims to advocate for access to the Pell Grant and the Cal Grant, as well as support retention initiatives, according to her platform statement.
“I have the institutional knowledge, as well as I have platforms that are implementable for the next year,” Choy said.
Diego Chavez, a third-year global studies and political science student, said in his platform statement that he plans to prioritize students’ basic needs and housing affordability.
During the debate, Chavez said they plan to allocate EVP funds toward basic needs resources, health and wellness fairs, retention projects and programs that support high school students.
Chavez added that he has experience advocating for equitable transportation projects and lobbying for students from undocumented, queer and low-income backgrounds.
“Our legislators cannot look away – because we are going to be loud, and we are going to ensure that we cannot let them turn away,” Chavez said.
Students can vote in the election on MyUCLA starting May 8 at 8 a.m. until May 15 at noon
