GA-ASUC Relations Improved

By Rogelio Cuerisma Birosel, Vice Chair 1974-1975

The relations between the GA and the ASUC were improved in 1974-75 relative to the previous years; prime areas o fimprovement were GA membership in the state wide SBPC, increased funding, and switching from activity budgeting to a part of the operations budget of the ASUC.

In 1973-1974, the ASUC adminsitration (Unity-Coalition) refused to allow GA membership into the SBPC by opposing such a move in the SBPC itself as interference in a Berkeley campus matter. In addition the GA budget was included in the activities budget of teh ASUC. As such the GA was subjected, as an innocent bystander, to being the victim of the political fights between the conservative Unity Party, the liberal Coalition party, and the Third World and progressive caucus.

The opression of the GA by the ASUC, institutional or attitudenal, was through no SBPC representation and hence no GA input into statewide operations, University hall, Regents, and legislative decision, or graduate matters, and through little ASUC funding. Lack of funds caused ineffective GA staffing for effective GA represenation of graduate students. This had to be changed to equal represenation in the SPBC and a secured increas in ASUC funding.

In Spring 1974, the author was instrumental in the victory of the left allience party including the election of the GA chair, Don Gilles, as VP-Academic Affairs. The author was also instrumental in the Left Alliance sweep of the ASUC executive offices in Spring of 75.

These victories paved the way for the sponsorship of SBPC membership of the GA and helping to increase and secure for the GA for next year inclusion as part of the "apolitical" operations budget.

The GA's affirmative actuion goals require the committeed cooperation of the GA officers, delegates, and graduate students every day and in every department in the common struggle with the Lef Alliance against Unversity oppressions, including racism, sexism, elitism, class discrimination, national oppression, and exploitation.

Graduate students, unite in the common fight for third world peoples' and women's rights.