<p>Do any of you think it is worth it? I've heard that the ASUC, like most student governments, is primarily dysfunctional, a resume builder, an extreme time-commitment (possibly GPA killer depending on major), and the costs of having it on your resume outweigh the benefits. </p>
<p>In spite of the ASUC managing a budget of several million dollars, I've heard that it doesn't have THAT much autonomy. The Senate mainly deals with lobbyists from clubs and frats/sororities that want the ASUC to reimburse their purchases. Money isn't really spent on "meaningful projects" that could benefit the Cal community. </p>
<p>But what I've heard could be wrong. Has anyone here been on the Senate, and has their experience been otherwise? I was thinking of running this year, but many, many people discouraged me from doing so.</p>
<p>As someone who has dealt extensively with the ASUC, it has its pros and cons. On one hand it is a great learning experience if you are interested in politics and/or law. In 2010, I was an Assistant Attorney general during the Noah Stern case (google it if you weren’t at Cal in Spring 2010). Although no one really cared outside of campus it was a huge deal on campus. The Daily Cal covered the case extensively and my counterparts and I had to learn quickly to deal with the media and how to say things in politically correct ways. It was also very stressful - by far the most stressful thing I have done in college (including exams). It taught me how to manage crisis situations. If I do decide to work in politics or law after graduation, I’m sure the experience will help me a lot. </p>
<p>On the flip side though, you have to remember it is really only a college campus and not even most students care. Once you get into the ASUC, it can quickly become a bubble and you can think you are a hot shot. Virtually everyone in the ASUC thinks they are destined to be politicians and so they conduct themselves according to how they think politicians behave. The result is partisanship, rigidness, and frustration that makes the recent debt deal in Washington look like a walk in the park.</p>
<p>Basically, you have to treat it kind of like you would a mock trial in High school or mock student congress. It is a great learning experience, just don’t forget that it is all basically meaningless. So my advice would probably be to go ahead and do it, just make sure you keep a level head about it, especially if you get elected. And don’t let it consume you’re life like many do - it should be a part of your college experience, not your whole college experience. </p>
<p>PS: If you do run, run with Squelch! or as an independent. It is SO much more fun and rewarding (I have worked on campaigns for both Student Action and SQUELCH!). Student Action and CalSERVE are machines and treat their candidates as nothing more than cogs within them. I can elaborate more if you are interested.</p>
<p>I have several friends who are in, have been in, or have ran for ASUC. Based on what I know from them, AVNevis basically nailed it head on: most people don’t really care, but it’s a great learning experience in terms of politics.</p>
<p>In terms of meaningfulness of funds: it all depends on how you look at it. On one hand, it’s possible to get all these great new things by using funds for interesting projects, but as far as how I see it, it’s more important that the ASUC continues to provide funding for the various student groups (inc’l fraternities and sororities) so they can go on with business as usual. They fund things that are often just taken for granted until they go missing.</p>
<p>In any case, just keep in mind that if you do decide to run, you are there to serve the campus community. You might not be able to achieve everything you want to achieve and you might end up disillusioned, but as long as you put your best efforts into using that position to make the campus a better place, it’ll be worth it.</p>
<p>so…sorry if i hijack this a little bit but i’m an incoming freshmen and i was wondering how does someone get involved in the student government at cal?</p>
<p>The idea is to get to know a lot of people, run, and get elected. I know for Student Action, at least, a common path is to intern for an ASUC senator freshman year and then run for the next year.</p>
<p>You don’t have to be in a fraternity/sorority to realistically run for ASUC – in fact, the majority of ASUC are unaffiliated. However, relative to the population on campus, Greek Life is vastly over-represented in ASUC. This is because the Greek community is tightly bonded (even between different chapters) and does a lot of things that involve funding and support from the ASUC. While most students don’t really care, the Greek community does.</p>