[Ug-students] ASUCR Newsletter: Spring Quarter Week 4

[Asha Nettles]

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ASUCR Newsletter: Spring Quarter Week 4

Upcoming ASUCR Events!

Elections Candidate Debate #2
<https://events.ucr.edu/event/asucr-candidate-debate-2?utm_campaign=widget&utm_medium=widget&utm_source=UC+Riverside&_gl=1*1wvlzfc*_ga*MTA4OTY4NDg1Ny4xNzcyNzU3NDA3*_ga_Z1RGSBHBF7*czE3NzY3ODM5MjIkbzUzJGcxJHQxNzc2NzgzOTI2JGo1NiRsMCRoMA..*_ga_S8BZQKWST2*czE3NzY3ODM5MjIkbzQ1JGcxJHQxNzc2NzgzOTI2JGo1NiRsMCRoMA..>-
Tuesday, April 21 @ 11:15am-1:15pm, ASUCR Senate Chambers

An opportunity for candidate to voice their opinions on campus issues and
for students to hear from their student government candidates.

GCAP x Office of Sustainability Earth Day Festival
<https://events.ucr.edu/event/2026-earth-day-festival> - Wednesday, April
21 @ 10am to 3pm, Rivera and Watkins Lawn

The Earth Day Festival brings together UC Riverside departments, student
organizations, research centers, community organizations, businesses,
agencies, and individuals to showcase sustainability and climate
initiatives, along with sustainable products available for purchase. Hosted
by the Office of Sustainability and the Green Campus Action Plan, this free
event is open to students, staff, faculty, and the broader community. In
2026, the festival will feature delicious food, art, plants, thrifting
opportunities, and a wide range of resources and information on
sustainability and climate action.



Spring 2026 Elections!
STUDENT FEE REFERENDUMS

During the ASUCR elections, undergraduate students vote on proposals to
adopt new student fees or change current ones. This spring election
includes two proposals that have been approved through their respective
processes governed by the UCR Policy on Campus Procedures for Establishing,
Increasing, Reducing or Eliminating Campus-Based Student Fees. In order for
the referendums to pass, it must achieve a majority vote in favor and
attain a minimum participation rate of 20% of the eligible student body.

Vote April 27-May 1, Your Vote Matters

R’Garden Food Security & Sustainability Referendum

Proposed Fee Action: $10 per student/quarter

This fee will establish the R’Garden as a reliable student-supported
resource that strengthens food security, expands paid student employment,
and builds long-term educational infrastructure at UC Riverside. Creating a
stable funding source, it ensures consistent access to free, campus-grown
produce while deepening partnerships with Basic Needs and increasing
outreach to students facing food insecurity. The referendum supports paid
internships and leadership pathways that provide hands-on experience in
sustainable agriculture, food systems, public health, and environmental
justice, while integrating the garden into student opportunities across
disciplines. It also sustains and expands student-centered programming and
signature events such as hands-on sustainability workshops, composting
trainings, the Fall Harvest Festival, Spring Dig ‘n’ Dance, and campus
outreach activities that foster community, belonging, and environmental
awareness. With dedicated professional staff to ensure continuity,
accountability, and long-term growth, this initiative transforms the
R’Garden into a scalable, campus-wide hub for food access, experiential
learning, and community engagement, reinforcing UCR’s agricultural roots
while building a more food-secure, connected, and sustainable campus for
generations of students.

Highlander Abroad Referendum (HAR) Fee

Proposed Fee Action: Increase of $1 (from $2 to $3) and Reaffirmation of
Highlander Abroad Referendum (HAR) for five years

This fee renewal is for five years effective Fall 2026. After five years,
this fee will need to be renewed by student vote. The fee will provide for:
Developing the UCR workforce by hiring student workers, volunteers, and
peer mentors; Academic engagement through high-quality, impactful education
abroad programs; Culturally relevant domestic programs for students who
prefer learning within the U.S. - Facilitating student travel grants;
Funding events such as the World fest Education Abroad Fair and Passport
Fair; Supporting staff to assist with travel resources like airfare and
accommodations.

Full proposals and information can be found here:
https://elections.ucr.edu/initiatives-referendums
ASUCR Executive Cabinet Candidates

In ASUCR, the Executive Branch is also known as the ‘Executive Cabinet’.
The Executive Cabinet is a representative body composed of the offices of
eight (8) Executive Officers and six (6) non-voting Directors. These
officers and directors are elected by the student body At-Large, and
oversee ASUCR's 20+ internal committees. The Executive Cabinet serves the
student body At-Large through direct advocacy to administrators, projects
and initiatives alongside various campus departments and resources, and
community partnerships, collaborations, and activism. Biographies can be
found here <https://elections.ucr.edu/candidates/asucr-candidates>.

The process for filling vacancies for Personnel Director, Transfer Student
Director, Non-Traditional Student Director and First-Time College Student
Director will be announced shortly after the spring 2026 elections is
completed.

Candidates for President

   -

   Bruce Riaze: UCR for US
   -

   Mia Rose Tu’ifua: Leadership you trust.

Candidates for Executive Vice President

   -

   Chloe Wang: Every Voice Present!
   -

   Rohan Vig: Transparency Accountability Impact

Candidates for Vice President of Internal Affairs

   -

   Kaelyn Paparisto: Unity. Community. Responsibility.
   -

   Lily Ilous: Accessibility. Accountability. Action.
   -

   Pia Prashanth: Opportunity. Resources. Accessibility.

Candidates for Vice President of External Affairs

   -

   Joseph Anastacio: Advocacy, Action, Resistance

Candidates for Vice President of Finance

   -

   Emmy Tsao: Equity Starts Here.

Candidates for Vice President of Sustainability

   -

   Rahma Ahmed: Inclusive | Accessible | Decolonized

Candidates for Vice President of Marketing and Promotions

   -

   Angela Michelle Tan: Committed, Collaborate, Engage
   -

   Dominic Romero Herrera: Deliver More, Together
   -

   Ka Chung Keith Leung: Amplify, Motivate, Promote
   -

   Rosie Liu: Creative, Committed, Connected

Candidates for Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

   -

   Tobi Latinwo: Our Stories Matter

Candidates for International Student Director

   -

   Himanshu Rao: Bridge. Build. Belong.
   -

   Victoria Zhou: Connect, Conduct, Commit


The process for filling vacancies for Personnel Director, Transfer Student
Director, Non-Traditional Student Director and First-Time College Student
Director will be announced shortly after the spring 2026 elections is
completed.
ASUCR Senate Candidates

The ASUCR Senate is home to the Legislative Branch of student government.
It is composed of 19 senators who serve as advocates for their respective
college-specific concerns and undergraduate issues at large and are
responsible for representing the voices, needs, and priorities of their
constituents in the formal governance process. Through the introduction and
passage of legislation, senators work to address campus-wide issues,
allocate resources, and advance policies that reflect the interests of the
undergraduate student body. Biographies can be found here
<https://elections.ucr.edu/candidates/asucr-candidates>.

Candidates for CHASS Senator (9 seats)

   -

   Eddie Jezbera: Transparency, Unity, Determined
   -

   Evan Wei: Representation. Transparency. Results.
   -

   Gaby Vasquez: Unity, Creativity, Representation
   -

   Geng Yang Lin: Safety, Service, Solidarity
   -

   Lauren Mendoza: Listen, Lead, Represent
   -

   Natalie Adel Ebeid: Stronger Bolder Together
   -

   Nathan Boylan-Boisvert: Fight, Win, Represent

Candidates for CNAS Senator (5 seats)

   -

   Arfah Shaukat: Highlander Rise Higher
   -

   Ernesto Mora Garcia: Expanding UC "Research"
   -

   Jacob Fernandez: Voice for CNAS
   -

   Lydia Fanoos: Reach, Connect, Build
   -

   William Nguyen: Progress Through Representation

Candidates for BCOE Senator (2 seats)

   -

   Charles Russell: Vote 4 Me
   -

   Hamza Abdallah: Innovate, Advocate, Elevate
   -

   Sarah Zohary: Strong, Secure, Sustainable
   -

   Veda Vikram: Implement-Innovate-Impact

Candidates for School of Education (SOE) Senator (1 seat)

   -

   Dulce Maria Ruiz Hernandez: Prepare, Support, Experience

Candidates for School of Business Senator (1 seat)

   -

   Sebastian Zavala: Success, Exposure, Business

The process for filling any senate vacancies will be announced shorlty
after the spring 2026 elections is completed.

Voting begins Monday April 27 at 8am through Friday May 1.

Electronic Ballots will be sent to students' UCR emails on the first day of
voting.

>From the Office of the Executive Vice President & Senate

What is happening at Senate this week? (Wednesday, April 22)

   -

   Public Form: Public forum is where members of the Associated Students or
   University community are able to address the senate. Each speaker is
   allowed three (3) minutes to address the Senate, unless the Senate agrees
   on a time extension.
   -

   State of the Association: The State of the Association is a joint
   meeting between both Executive and Legislative Branches. During this
   meeting each member of the Executive Branch provides a written or oral
   report on the goals and projects of their offices.
   -

   Legislative Review Committee
   -

      SR-S26-004: Moving the Elections Committee to the Judicial Branch
      -

   Green Campus Action Plan
   -

      GCAP Grant 0020: R’Bus
      -

   Finance Committee
   -

      Finance #17 Hearing Minutes 04/16/2026
      -

   Public Comment: Public comment is where members of the Associated
   Students or University community are able to address the senate on matters
   discussed during the senate meeting. Each speaker is allowed three (3)
   minutes to address the Senate, unless the Senate agrees on a time extension.

Agenda and Documents can be found on the ASUCR website
<https://asucr.ucr.edu/meetings-minutes>.

ASUCR and AIChE Industry Night: Join ASUCR and AIChE for an annual Industry
Night event, featuring recruiters from a variety of companies such as NASA,
Chevron, and Northrop Grumman. Only first 120 RSVPs will be given spots. In
addition, we are looking for volunteers to assist us with day of
operations, as well as event promotion. Volunteers will be given
refreshments and an RSVP to the event.
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ASUCR's Senate acts as the main decision-making body of student government,
representing the voices of undergraduates across campus. It’s made up of
elected senators from each college, along with executive officers who help
organize and support student-led efforts. The Senate meets every week to
review and vote on legislation, distribute funding to student
organizations, and talk through issues that impact the wider campus
community. Meetings are led by the Executive Vice President and follow a
structured format to keep things fair, open, and inclusive. Overall, the
Senate plays a vital role in making sure student voices are heard and in
improving student life at UCR.

>From the Office of the President

Hey Highlanders, the Commuter and Transportation Committee is conducting a
survey to learn more about commuters' experience at UCR. The survey will
help inform the committee about the struggles commuters face. Please fill
out the survey here
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeMrx9Dy8fW5mI-ZNCkq9qehHZcfECXlZIfXXJq9f-Jom9SZA/viewform>
.
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>From the Office of the Vice President of External Affairs
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Come eat some free Cane's and learn how YOU can help UCR win the Statewide
Register to Vote Competition with Civic Engagement Committee on this
Wednesday at 5:00pm-6:00pm in the Bear's Den! Excited to see you there!
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