varsha FOR

external affairs vice president

Hi there! My name is Varsha and I am a third year majoring in Political Science. I am currently the State Affairs director for the External Affairs Vice President Office, and now I am running to become your EAVP. As an activist, organizer, lobbyist, and advocate -- I’ve organized the protest that ousted former Regent Norman Pattiz*, helped stop a tuition hike on in-state students, and won hundreds of millions of dollars in additional funding from the state Capitol — leading to the first tuition decrease in two decades. I went on to manage Rigel Robinson’s successful campaign for City Council, and briefly worked as a legislative assistant in City Hall. I want to put my years of experience in politics, policy, and student advocacy to work as your next External Affairs Vice President. I will fight to make the University of California system more affordable, accessible, and equitable; work to strengthen relationships between the students, the community, and the city; advocate for the construction of more affordable housing; organize alongside and empower marginalized communities; and engage students with the 2020 census and midterm elections.

*Titles for identification purposes only.

Read more about my platforms and goals below!

OUR UNIVERSITY

  • Fighting for #FundtheUC

  • Securing our basic needs

  • Strengthening Title IX

THE CITY & COMMUNITY

  • Bringing town and gown together

  • Building more, affordable housing

  • Organizing with communities

BEYOND BERKELEY

  • Championing progressive values

  • Making our voices heard (election 2020)

  • Making sure we count (census 2020)

Qualifications and Leadership Roles

Varsha has been a long time activist, organizer, lobbyist, and advocate. She has been active within the UC system, the Berkeley campus, and the state legislature. Fighting for students on the university, city, state, and national level, Varsha has taken on multitude of leadership roles to best serve her community.

Student Government & University Advocacy

University of California Board of Regents

Student Observer, Committee on Finance & Capital Strategies (Nov. ‘18 -)

University of California, Berkeley, Academic Senate

Student Rep, Committee on Undergraduate Scholarships, Honors, & Financial Aid (Oct. ‘18 -)

University of California Student Association

Financial Aid Advocacy Officer & Government Relations Committee Vice Chair (Aug. ‘18 -)

Associated Students of the University of California

State Affairs Director, Office of ASUC EAVP Nuha Khalfay (June ‘18 -)

Fund the UC Campaign Manager, Office of ASUC EAVP Rigel Robinson (July ‘17 - May ‘18)

Government & Policy Experience

Office of Berkeley City Councilmember Rigel Robinson

Campaign Experience

Rigel Robinson for Berkeley City Council

Campaign Manager (April ‘18 - Nov. ‘18)

Political Involvement

Alameda County Democratic Central Committee

Delegate to the California Democratic Party (Feb. ‘19 -)

Alternate Committee Member (Feb. ‘19 -)

Club Representative (June ‘18 - Feb. ‘19)

Cal Berkeley Democrats

President (May ‘18 -)

Development Director (May ‘17 - May ‘18)

California College Democrats

Political Director (Feb. ‘18 -)