This quarter, ASUCD launched groundbreaking projects that will greatly benefit UC Davis’ student population. Its units, commissions, committees and branches have all made strides that will foster a supportive environment full of student resources. 

Read more below to hear about them!

ASUCD Unit Projects 

ASUCD’s units have all made amazing developments. Unitrans was awarded 1.6 million dollars in Federal Transit Administration discretionary funds to electrify two-thirds of the UC Davis bus fleet, the only student-run public transportation system in the United States. 

Unitrans and the Davis Food Co-op will aid the Pantry through a “Stuff the Bus” event on Dec. 14, which will collect essentials such as canned, ready-to-eat meals, cooking utensils, toiletries and hygiene products, and baby formula. 

One of Unitrans’ vintage double-deckers from London will take donations for the eighth annual collection from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. in the parking lot of the Davis Food Co-op, 620 G St. The first 50 donors will receive a Unitrans pass good for ten rides on the campus-city transit service. All proceeds go toward The Pantry, which served 9,350 students this quarter and held its Donations for Citations campaign from November 12-22. Students could donate qualified food and essentials to the ASUCD Pantry instead of paying a parking citation (or invoice fee) received on or before Nov. 5.

In addition to fulfilling basic needs, Housing Advising for Undergraduate Students (HAUS) hosted the ASUCD Fall Housing Fair on November 13th. Hundreds of students met with resource representatives and visited the Quad to learn more about housing options for next year.

The Bike Barn reached $100,000 in revenue within the first week of the quarter and partnered with the Guardian Scholar Program to provide free bike repairs. ASUCD’s Coffee House began serving halal chicken, fostering inclusivity for UC Davis’ diverse student body. Student Health and Wellness received additional funding for contraceptives. The California Aggie underwent modernization and KDVS is expanding its reach with a new website launch this month. The Innovation and Research Lab also held a tech mixer with about 700 students, drawing in events with about 250 attendees each week. Overall, ASUCD’s units have worked tirelessly to represent the needs of the student government, and we cannot be prouder of what they’ve accomplished.

ASUCD Committee Projects

The Disability Justice Advocacy Committee collaborated with Unitrans this quarter to improve assistance signage, while the Aggie Arts Committee's Moo-vin Museum launch fostered student engagement and promoted local artists’ work. 

In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, SAAAC hosted a supply drive in the CoHo, collecting household and personal hygiene items for domestic violence survivors. The supply drive successfully reeled in 253 donations, demonstrating the campus's heartwarming generosity. All proceeds went to Empower Yolo, which provides essential services such as crisis support and safety shelter. SAAAC has also worked with the police department to improve on-campus lighting, a valuable addition to UC Davis as the community prepares for winter quarter. 

ASUCD Commission Projects

Projects involving commissions fostered a strong sense of community within ASUCD. Senators Julka and Wickramasinghe hosted a Brownie Break at the CoHo. On Wednesday, October 30th, from 3-4 PM, over 200 people stopped by to grab a brownie and learned more about the Student Health and Wellness Unit. To receive a brownie, students were required to follow an ASUCD social media account. Students also received resources such as blue books, scantrons and pencils from the Academic Affairs Commission (AAC). AAC has also managed the distribution of scholarship and volunteer awards. 

Further collaboration between ASUCD’s branches has included the Executive Office of President Ilupeju and the Environmental Policy and Planning Commission working together to create a ban on single-use container usage in ASUCD. 

ASUCD Executive Office 

This quarter, the Executive Office and Aggie Compass launched the Aggie Aid Grant program, investing $200,000 towards needs such as student transportation grants. President Ilupeju has also worked with administrators to ensure the continuation of Health Equity Fund medical grants and extend the Causeway Connection beyond 2027 in light of potential budget cuts to UC Davis’ valuable transportation infrastructure. The Executive Office has also secured a business account with Uber to launch Tipsy Taxi, allowing students to get home safely through free rides. A fee referendum that stabilizes parking costs for students is currently being developed. 

In addition to ASUCD’s focus on transportation, President Ilupeju met with property managers throughout Davis to create a satellite pantry project. The President is collaborating with the Night Market to reduce potential food waste and give to students in need. 

The Executive Office is discussing the possibility of bringing mobile HIV/STI clinics to campus through Communicare. They plan to expand HAUS through a proposed integration with Aggie House, the student-run transitional housing shelter as well. 

The Executive Office also worked to Get Out the Vote by holding a raffle for a free electric scooter. To be entered, students had to repost a voting guide on Instagram and share it with their friends. About 250 people learned more about how to be civically engaged at UC Davis.

ASUCD Legislative Branch 

ASUCD’s legislative branch has reallocated $4.4 million toward facility renovations through SB#1 and raised the ASUCD base pay rate above minimum wage, ensuring students are well-paid for their hard work.  

The Senate’s Ethical Spending Policy implementation plan is under legal review,  which will allow divestment from corporations that violate human rights. There’s also a groundbreaking policy on community safety to be ratified next quarter that would require clubs to complete training on community principles to receive funding. 

Lastly, International Student Representative Muhammad Rafay Waqar launched a project focused on creating additional opportunities and resources to support more than 4,500 international students at UC Davis. 

“Generally, the whole point of ISR as an office is to represent international students and advocate for any issues students are facing,” he says. “We’re pursuing mental health initiatives that will provide international students a safe space, whether they’re worried about studies or social life.”

Click here to learn more about the work he intends to do with RSOs like Beautiful Mind Project and the Imani Clinic.

The Executive Office takes great pride in the work ASUCD units, commissions, committees, and branches have done to represent more than 35,000 students at UC Davis. We are immensely excited to continue our efforts throughout the winter quarter and the remainder of the school year.