Editor’s note: This is one installment in a three-part series on this year’s candidates for ASUC president. Read about the other candidates here and here.
ASUC presidential candidate Chaka Tellem is running for the office in hopes of building a better Berkeley one he said will center around students’ needs.
Tellem, a sophomore majoring in political economy with minors in race and law and public policy, said his passions are “community-rooted” and stem from his desire to have more diverse representation in all areas on campus. His platforms are campus climate and safety, COVID-19 response and relief, environmental justice and sustainability and academic and professional opportunities.
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On Friday, the Elevate Cal coalition announced the final member of its slate of ASUC Senate candidates for the upcoming elections.
Elevate Cal focuses on restoring accountability, accessibility and transparency within the ASUC. The Senate candidates are Dil Sen, Rina Rossi, Issabella Romo, Jason Dones, Stephanie Wong and Jake Sim.
Sen, a campus sophomore studying economics and political science, was inspired to run after having to move back to India last spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Feeling isolated similar to many of his peers, he decided to get more involved in the ASUC, where he previously served as chief of staff to Senator Liam Will, to stay connected within the UC Berkeley community.
Elevate Cal announces ASUC presidential and transfer candidates
From left to right: Gabriel Alfaro, Chaka Tellem
Elevate Cal, a newly formed coalition, announced its candidates for several ASUC positions, including ASUC president and transfer representative.
Created by ASUC Senator Chaka Tellem alongside several members of his office, the coalition announced Tellem’s campaign for ASUC president and Gabriel Alfaro for transfer representative. As a part of its mission, Elevate Cal hopes to increase support for marginalized communities and bring transparency to the ASUC.
“We wanted to continue that progress by making a group of progressives from various communities that can work together under a common goal of making a better Berkeley,” Tellem said. “Making Berkeley a more inclusive and hospitable place.”