Neha Kumaran

Hey everyone! 

I’m Neha Kumaran, a second-year Political Science major, and I am running to be your next External Vice President of Local Affairs. As someone who spent much of my life living in different cities, I know how important a welcoming environment is. I want UCSB to be welcoming and inclusive of all its students, regardless of their background. As someone currently involved in housing research at UCSB, and as a tenant in Isla Vista, I know how dire the housing situation in Santa Barbara is, and I will prioritize making housing more affordable and actually livable. If you vote for me, I will ensure that I increase student representation in local affairs by taking into account what my constituents want and need.

My goals as EVPLA would be to:

INCREASE inclusivity by: 
PROVIDING a forum for students to voice their concerns regularly, and incorporating their needs into my office’s agenda. 
INCREASING accessibility by increasing awareness of the resources available to students through AS and the EVPLA office
EXPANDING on my predecessors’ efforts to expand restorative justice in Isla Vista and will work closely with UCPD and IVFP to assuage concerns of overpolicing from previous years.
INSTITUTING a campus climate commissioner to help facilitate increased inclusivity efforts through the EVPLA office.

IMPROVE the housing situation by: 
INCREASING efforts in streamlining the housing process for second-year students who may not know how early they need to start their search for housing. 
WORKING closely with Isla Vista Tenants Union to ensure that they have the resources they need to best serve the community.
HOLDING the administration accountable for building more affordable and high-quality student housing.
LOBBYING for more affordable and safe housing by working with IVTU, IV Community Services District, and the Board of Supervisors.

A vote for Neha is a vote for an EVPLA who will fight to make your life better. Go Gauchos!