For every ASSU general election in recent history, the Students of Color Coalition (SOCC) has endorsed a single executive slate. The endorsement symbolizes SOCC’s view of which slate will best represent the interests of students of color at Stanford from the perspective of the leaders of AASA, BSU, MEChA, MSAN and SAIO, who together comprise SOCC. While we have endorsed the current Undergraduate Senate candidates with the greatest potential to advocate for communities of color, we have been unable to do so this year with regards to the Executives.

In a fashion similar to last year, Stanford has many slates to choose from in a single election. Four slates sought our endorsement, which consists of a brief open-ended questionnaire and interview. Each slate showed a genuine interest in advocating for students of color, with multiple candidates having direct prior involvement with our communities while others showed a commitment to inform themselves as rapidly as possible. All indicated a strong desire to communicate with the many communities at Stanford and to listen to the concerns of the student body. Frankly, it is a testament to the drive of this year’s executive slates that everyone has made students of color an important priority.

We applaud the willingness of all candidates seeking an endorsement to consult with us on the issues, and we invite all of them to do so if they so choose. We believe that voters from our communities will benefit from this opportunity, so we sincerely hope all Executive Slates will include issues of importance to students of color on their platforms. All students should examine each candidate’s platforms and stances on the issues, particularly those who share SOCC’s interest in ensuring that the concerns of Stanford’s ethnic communities are addressed.

This op-ed was submitted by representatives of Stanford’s Students of Color Coalition.