At the most recent installment of the SGA’s weekly senate meeting, I had the privilege of announcing the ALANA caucus’ official endorsement for president and trustee in the upcoming student elections. As internal chair, I have the opportunity to address the senate on behalf of the caucus during officer reports at the start of each meeting. On Wednesday, I utilized this public space to formally announce the caucus’ support for Malcolm Chu and Lindsay McCluskey for president and trustee, respectively.
To the average UMass student, the paragraph above will probably have little to no meaning or significance. Despite high levels of apathy and ignorance in regards to campus politics, I insist that all UMass students should concern themselves with this issue. For those of you that aren’t quite up to speed, I’ll break it down to the best of my ability.
What I am about to tell you comes at the risk of sounding cocky and subsequently jinxing a successful streak. Superstition aside, it’s important to note the last four sets of candidates to be endorsed by the caucus have all found their way into office. Caucus members and allies played an essential role in each of these campaigns, starting with Eddie Bustamante and most recently Aaron Buford.
In this respect, the caucus is somewhat of a political party, a very powerful one at that. The pessimists may feel that these elected positions are little more than hollow titles for students consumed by their quest for power, but contrary to such beliefs, these officials play a crucial role in shaping the social climate on campus.
Based on their track records, Chu and McCluskey are clearly ideal for the positions to which they aspire. McCluskey’s background as a statewide organizer is quite extensive; I can’t name one individual on campus more qualified for the role of trustee. For the past year she has served as secretary of external affairs within the SGA. She is a founding member of PHENOM, a group of students, faculty, and staff unified in their quest to make public higher education free here in affordable here in Massachusetts. She was also a key organizer for a statewide “study in,” which brought hundreds of students to the statehouse for a demonstration in response to raising tuition rates and student fees.
Chu is currently the SGA’s secretary of diversity. During the past year he has played a pivotal role in various initiatives on campus. He was a central organizer for the Jena Six rally that took place early last semester. He was the outreach coordinator for the General Student Strike, which led to the current negotiations between students and administrators. From his position as secretary, Chu has been instrumental in the rebuilding of a once stagnant ALANA caucus.
Looking beyond their prior accolades, the platform that Chu and McCluskey are running under features an assortment of issues that are relevant to UMass students. Their most salient platform item is a universal concern for all college students: the issue of affordability and access.
Nearly all of us have had a personal exchange with bright, talented individuals who weren’t able to seek higher education simply because most four-year institutions were outside their price bracket. We are also familiar with the plight of the average college student who leaves the University with several thousand dollars of debt looming over their heads.
Chu and McCluskey are seeking to reduce the frequency of these circumstances by building a coalition of students to lobby the statehouse for a substantial increase in funding public for public higher education.
In addition, they are pushing for a substantial reduction of tuition and fees. The logic is simple: cheaper tuition and more financial aid result in a more affordable education system. Many candidates have expressed such ambitions before, but this duo has the social network and resources to get it done – that alone should get them elected. I openly challenge any reader to find me a college student willing to turn down more money.
Another key issue Chu and McCluskey have taken up is the tight constraints that surround RSOs, particularly those of the cultural variety. These student groups often receive budgets so minute that one must be amazed that they are able to function at all. In addition to being underfunded, they have severe limitations placed on their spending. “No food and no travel,” says the administration. If food is to be served it must come from university catering, which often charges a rate that doubles the yearly budget of these RSOs.
Chu and McCluskey have been adamant in expressing their plan to free up these budgets, and to allow RSOs to spend money on what they need.
Hopefully, those of you that were residing in the dark are being led towards the light now. Now that you know all the politics you should hear the human side of the story. Malcolm and Lindsay are two good friends of mine, and I have worked with them closely since I transferred to UMass a year ago.
In my time knowing them, they have continued to leave me inspired, motivated, and in awe of their work ethic. In times when most students are either sleeping or out poisoning their livers, I’ve watched these two individuals fight fatigue with bloodshot eyes, working tirelessly for the causes to which they are devoted. They are two selfless souls totally committed to uplifting the experience of their fellow students.
Shaun Robinson is a Collegian columnist. He can be reached at [email protected]
