MAY 2006 VOLUME 2 NO. 7
Students Establish Constitution and Elect First Student Government Officers
Among the accomplishments of undergraduate students during the spring semester were the creation of the first constitution and the election of the first student government officers to represent the Associated Students of the University of California, Merced (ASUCM).
The ASUCM Constitution outlines the responsibilities of the official student government, which entails executive, legislative and judicial responsibilities, and ensures students have representation in the university community.
Following an exciting campaign, which included five candidates for the presidency alone and featured well-attended debates on the issues, students selected 24 students to serve as inaugural officers. Executive officers include the President Josh Franco, Internal Vice President Jenny Crawford, External Vice President Matt Creeger, Secretary Hakura Swendsen, Treasurer Yaasha Saaba, Director of Academic Affairs Udaydeep Bali, Director of Student Activities Efferman Ezell and Director of Student Advocacy Paola de Guzman. The internal vice president also presides over 16 elected senators who hold the legislative powers of the ASUCM, while judicial power is vested in courts established by the ASUCM Senate.
"Our first officers will organize student government, bring into operation the student-approved constitution and set up student-led committees," said Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Jane Lawrence. "They also will develop a budget and spending priorities for the ASUCM budget.
"Most importantly, the officers will think about how they can be effective voice for the needs of UC Merced students, expressing those needs to the faculty and administration."