GOVERNMENT RELATIONS COMMISSION

About

Our staff is primarily responsible for conducting lobby visits with legislators and public officials to advocate for issues that affect students in addition to phone banking and holding town halls. We also work intensively with the Organizing Commission to create and carry out comprehensive campaigns for federal, statewide, and local affairs. The Legislative Affairs Commission essentially advocates for students off campus and is the reminder for officials that higher education accessibility and affordability is their priority.

Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns!

Government Relations Director: legislativeaffairs@asuci.uci.edu || Office Hours: Tuesdays 1:00-2:00 PM  || Zoom (1:00-1:30PM) Zoom (1:30-2:00PM)

Government Relations Aide: legislativeaffairs@asuci.uci.edu || Office Hours: Mondays 1:00-2:00 PM || Zoom

Local Affairs Coordinator: localaffairs@asuci.uci.edu 

State/Federal Affairs Coordinator: stateaffairs@asuci.uci.edu 

Legislative Affairs Director & Aide: 

The Legislative Director is responsible for coordinating with legislative staff members in scheduling and conducting lobby visits with the state legislature, reviewing legislation, and leading the efforts in preparing UCI students to lobby in the annual Student Lobbying Conference and UC Hill Day. This person is informed of the events and actions occurring in the UC Student Association Board of Directors meetings. They work closely with the Organizing Director to carry out joint legislative and organize campaigns under statewide and national affairs. The Legislative Director will work closely with the UC Student Association (UCSA) on policy initiatives regarding our advocacy.

Local Coordinator:

The Local Legislative Affairs Coordinator will serve to advocate for the student body at the local level. This includes lobbying the Irvine City Council, engaging in community organizations on and off campus, and increasing the transparency between students and the UCI administration. Issues that will be worked on will primarily center around basic needs security, police accountability, and voter engagement. This year, we plan to work side by side with UCI Decide to get students to vote for the Midterm elections in November. As well as, we plan to host or go to town halls in order to get students more involved with the local government here in Irvine. We want also are aiming to visit the representatives that represent our students in district and develop a better relationship or know between them and our students. Long term goal is to get students to grow their knowledge of what the local government can do for them and get them more knowledgeable about what their role is as a citizen is within the local structure.

State Coordinator:

The State staff will serve to advocate for the student body at the state level. Advocacy efforts primarily center on our state legislators, UC Office of the President (UCOP), and the UC Regents. We work in partnership with the University of California Student Association (UCSA) who provide support in Sacramento as well as AFSCME (the largest trade union in the US). Legislation supported in the 2017 – 2018 year include helping the undocumented community (SB 54, AB 540), basic needs security (SB 307), and college affordability (AB 1178). State staff also help to prepare students to lobby in Sacramento during UCSA’s Student Lobby Conference (SLC). Time will primarily be spent hosting town halls, phone banking, and participating in lobby visits both in-district and at the state capitol.

Government Relations Director

Christina Kollias (She/Hers)
Hello! My name is Christina Kollias (she/her/hers) and I am a second-year Political Science & Social Policy and Public Service double major. Last year, I served as Local Affairs Coordinator. As Local Affairs Coordinator, I planned Irvine City Council and Mayoral Debates and worked at better representing students in local matters. As a staffer, I was able to have the opportunity to work on the Emergency Housing Bill, lobby state representatives, and attend UCSA conferences. Going into my role as GR Director, I hope to increase accessibility to government matters by tackling matters such as affordable housing and tuition, basic needs support, environmental justice, and better representing students’ voices at all levels of policymaking. Feel free to reach out to me!

Government Relations Aide

Evelyn De La Cruz (She/Hers)
Evelyn is a third year business economics major. She has worked with organizations such as Women’s March Foundation and The Lincoln Project in the past. Evelyn is passionate about women’s rights and voting efforts. She is excited to be the Government Relations Aide for the upcoming school year.

Local Relations Coordinator

Ann Le (She/Hers)

State/Federal Affairs Coordinator

Megan Kosai