Neo Harter

Hello! My name is Neo Harter. I’m a third year History and Global Studies student and I am running to be your next off-campus senator! In light of your time, I'm going to keep this statement short and sweet. So what do I want to do, and how do I want to do it?

Business Major
As a member of the Outreach Committee I have made it my mission to connect with as many students as possible and learn about their needs and wants. Throughout this process I was told time and time again about the importance of a Business major for many students who feel as though the school is seriously underserving, considering that UCSB does not in fact have a business major. Therefore, it has become clear to me that as a Senator I must address this issue. That is exactly what I plan on doing. I have already begun to collaborate with other candidates, including Xander Hepburn, to implement this project and I feel confident that UCSB will begin to offer a business major in the near future.

Isla Vista-wide Class Action Lawsuit
Indeed, I want to use students and a Senate committee to help fund and manage a Class Action lawsuit that would represent all of our Isla Vista residents who are currently being exploited by the predatory and unscrupulous landlords. Most students don't have the time or the money to pursue legal action, but AS does, and this is exactly what I plan on doing. This is the sort of thing that AS is designed for, and ought to be doing. The goal is to expose landlords for unsafe and illegal housing practices that expose students to toxic mold, unsafe living conditions, and inadequate services. Forcing the landlords to fix their properties and/or lower their housing costs would benefit generations of students for literally years to come. It's about time AS fully leveraged the power that we have.

Students with Kids
Another issue that has come to my attention is the lack of resources that our peers who have children experience. Although our current AS president, Ms. Broadway, has made some admirable progress in this regard, I plan on pushing it further. I aim to increase the stipend that student-parents receive, granting class enrollment benefits, and potentially allowing these students access to increased child care options, so that they may continue their studies in good spirit while their children are taken care of. This issue does not receive enough attention and I believe that my role as a senator would be wasted if I did not address it. I plan on doing just that.

CLAS
Another issue that has come to my attention is CLAS. The services that CLAS offers, although amazing, are not accessible enough to many students due to a lack of support for the program. With not enough space, tutors, or funding, the scope of CLAS is inherently smaller than what is possible, which places a great deal of pressure on both students and staff. Considering the success and potential of CLAS, this is clearly an issue that needs to be addressed. Therefore, in collaboration with Xander, I plan on writing legislation that would increase the size and availability of CLASS so that more students may benefit from this phenomenal program.

Associated Students Transparency and Accessibility
Unfortunately, in my conversation with fellow students I discovered that many of you are unaware of what AS does, or are convinced that it does not adequately address your needs as a student. Although this is not entirely true, since AS senators like Enri Lala and Taylor Iden have continued to work hard throughout the year to provide the best representation possible, there is valid concern here. Therefore, I seek to increase AS outreach by a large margin, actively gathering up to date information on the constantly evolving needs of students. This level of outreach is necessary for senators to then write effective legislation that addresses the issues that you all experience. Whatever you have to share, from a desire for increased access to feminine products to a complaint about the run-down walking paths near the lagoon, we want to hear about it. It's our job to address these issues but we cannot adequately do so if we are without up to date information. You guys have a voice and we have the tools to bring about the change that you want to see. Just let us know and we will get on it.

Beach Access
Like many of you I love visiting the beach, whether for a swim, surf session, or just a need for a place to read a good book, it's always a great spot. Specifically, I always love going to Coal Oil Point, but beach access is a bit limited in this area, with students needing to use a DIY foot path to get down. It's pretty fun to do this, I won't lie. But in all reality, it's not very safe and it can be kind of a hassle sometimes when you've got the board and/or other gear. I propose that AS take the initiative to build a set of stairs that students can use to access the beach much more safely and reliably. This is a no-brainer that would benefit generations of students, for years to come.

I promised short and sweet, so that's all I'll add for now, although I have so much to offer. I am eager to serve you guys, and I hope you understand how serious I am about representing your needs. AS has access to 18 million dollars, countless student staffers, and a limitless amount of potential, which I believe, if properly leveraged, can make a world of difference for our students here at UCSB. It's time to vote someone(s) into office that understand this and are willing to maximize opportunity. Go big or go home, right? Thank you guys!

Also, I will use my instagram to update students on the various initiatives that I plan on launching, so if you feel inclined, you can find me on instagram @neoharter