Student Organizations Advising and Resources Student organizations enrich the educational experiences of ALL students. They provide academic support networks, mentorship, leadership development and a place for students to find community. They help create a holistic learning environment at UCSC. All of this is threatened by the lack of support for SOAR by certain administrators. SOAR has been without full staffing for almost 2 years. There are only 2 staff remaining, doing the work of 6. This is NOT due to a lack of available funds, but a lack of administrative commitment to serving student oragnizations. Student organizations at UC Santa Cruz are paralyzed: accounts are a mess, advising is unavailable...and yet, we're paying more in fees. This is not the fault of the SOAR staff. They are working hard. They just can't do the jobs of 6 people. This consistant lack of commitment is an attack. How can the University leave ANY OFFICE with only 2 staff persons to serve over 125 active student organizations for such a long period of time? Multiple hiring processes for SOAR have been attempted, but they have failed or been delayed over and over. We want to state clearly: these delays were NOT the fault of students. We have pushed for timelines, for structure, for criteria. We have sacraficed our studies to attend meetings during fnals and over break. We have initiated meetings with the responsible administrators. We have exhausted the "proper channels" and in return, we have been accused as the problem. Students are invested in the success of SOAR because student voice must be presnt in hiring student-friendly staff. Student voice is essential in designing services that will fit the needs of new generations. We do not want to dictate hiring processes or policies. We are asking for our opinions to be treated with respect. We demand that our experiences be validated and NOT DISCRIMINATED AGAINST. WE participate NOT for personal gain. WE participate because we are commited to enriching the educational experience for ALL UCSC students. But our voices are not being respected. When we ask questions or point out problems we are shut down and we face RETALIATION It makes sense to include the input of those most affected. It makde sense for the campus to be a COMMUNITY when faced with a budget crisis, changes in demographics, and an evolving educational institution. As students, we recognize the challenges we face here at UCSC. Our voices should not be excluded. WE should not fear open dialogue. Won't this result in better solutions? Better hires? A stronger UCSC community? Once again, there is a Rally today(Wednesday March 10th) at the Quarry Plaza. Come between 3:30 and 4pm. This information was put together by the students in SUA. I copied it from the flyer they handed me. I apologize for any spelling errors I have missed.
