Erica Sherkin

Hi!
My name is Erica Sherkin, and I am running to be your Off-Campus Senator. I am a first year political science major from Los Angeles, California, passionate about fostering community engagement and advocating for student needs at UCSB.
My priorities as Senator are expanding community service and nonprofit partnerships, improving the campus meal plan system, and amplifying student voices, while increasing transparency of legislation and policy initiatives in the Senate.
In terms of community service, I will create nonprofit partnerships for our campus community to create more meaningful and easily accessible volunteer opportunities for students. Accessibility is crucial when it comes to community engagement, and thus I am collaborating with other colleagues in the Senate to create a volunteering database to streamline and increase participation in service projects both on campus and in the Goleta community.
Currently, UCSB’s meal plan is in major need of improvement. I will work with fellow Senators and Campus Dining to implement changes, including rollover meal swipes from quarter to quarter, transferable swipes between students, and expanded acceptance of meal swipes at more campus eateries.
In total, representation matters. My involvement in RHA, Hillel, campus sports, and other student groups has allowed me to hear directly from students about the initiatives and changes they want to see. As your Senator, I will advocate for marginalized voices in the Senate, ensure transparency about student fees,, and continuously engage with students to ensure that Associated Students (AS) is addressing their concerns.
Your vote is a vote for a Senator that is committed to making real, transformative, and transparent changes that make our campus better. I will work to enhance student life, expand service opportunities, and fight for policies that reflect your needs. I look forward to serving our student body to make UCSB more connected and more student-focused.