Mr. Kashmiri and Mr. Katz are putting together a referendum to have Cal fund an additional lobbyist to go to Sacramento and lobby for lower student fees. The Daily Cal frames the debate as being over whether students will accept the increase, and whether an increase is a smart message to send to Sacramento.

The proposal could be a hard sell politically. Students face a tough economy, tight housing market and large student fee increases.

Kashmiri's undergraduate counterpart, ASUC External Affairs Vice President Jimmy Bryant, has mixed feelings about the proposed referendum.

Bryant, who is the UCSA's chief legislative lobbyist, said the referendum could be taken as a sign from legislators that students are willing to accept higher fees.

Interesting point! But here's another one: who will control the message and activities of these new lobbyists? Presumably UCSA, the UC system's already established advocacy group. But nearly all students have no idea how UCSA works, who controls it, and what sort of message it projects in Sacramento.
From what I know about UCSA, thanks to Mr. Katz for filling me in, is that its controlled by the External VPs at the UC Campuses, weighted by how much they fund the thing. If the ASUC is unhappy with what UCSA is doing, there's a funding pullout clause. UCSA also has a significant wacky side, thanks to the more odd UC campuses. (coughcouchSantaCruz.)

If the new lobbyist is going to go out there and advocate exclusively for fee cuts, that's one thing. But UCSA takes stands on other issues, including an ongoing campaign to stop the RPI initiative, so be advised that we'll also be funding that battle.


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