STUDENT ALLIANCE ANNOUNCES YANIZ FOR TREASURER

Rafael Yaniz, external chief of staff to Student Body President Johnson, will be running for Student Body Treasurer with the Student Alliance. Yaniz’s top priorities for the campaign include streamlining Student Government finance, exploring alternatives to the Reitz Union fee, working for less expensive food options on campus,and fighting to save Bright Futures for UF students.

Yaniz, who has worked within the Johnson administration since 2009, is resigning his post effective tomorrow.

“My year within the current administration has shown me that Student Government is out of touch with most students,”said Yaniz. “We need leaders who will protect students from cuts to Bright Futures and lobby Tallahassee to cover the rising cost of our education.”

Yaniz also plans to explore key issues about the Student Government budget and our university’s finances throughout the campaign.

“Our campaign will focus on the issues and tackle tough questions that impact the future of our university,” said Yaniz. “I ask the Unite Party to join us in this effort to run a clean campaign, focusing on the issues that impact students.”

Yaniz’s previous fiscal experience comes from his year of service as Treasurer for Gators for Israel in 2008, which dealt with $39,000 this current year, and his work managing $20,000 in fundraising for a successful congressional campaign.

“It’s important to know the budget from an organization’s perspective,” said Yaniz, citing his past experience working with Student Government finance. “I understand what it’s like to fight for every dime, and as Student Body Treasurer, one of my top priorities is making life easier for student groups on campus.

Due to his outstanding service as Treasurer, Yaniz was elected President of Gators for Israel in 2009. As president, he created the first cooperative events between the Jewish Student Union and the Black Student Union and Indian Students Association.

Yaniz also cites a lack of participation in Student Government as a key reason for reform. “There are 14.4 million reasons for students to vote in this election,” said Yaniz. “With most students feeling that SG is disconnected from their interests, it’s clear that changes need to be made.”

Yaniz will be joining Ben Cavataro and Sagar Sane on the Student Alliance’s executive ticket.

“I feel that Rafael really complements our already diverse and dynamic ticket,” said Ben Cavataro, candidate for Student Body President. “His past executive experience and willingness to tackle key issues will make him an excellent Student Body Treasurer.”

Yaniz, along with other members of the Student Alliance, puts finding alternatives to the proposed Reitz Union fee as a major goal for his administration. He also discussed increasing accountability within both Student Government and the Reitz Union.

“This fee, proposed in the middle of a recession, represents a major economic burden for students,” said Yaniz. “We need to be looking into every alternative before turning to increased costs for students. Either way, Student Government needs to increase its oversight of the Reitz Union and ensure that student funds are put to good use. These repairs were foreseeable and could have been managed, but instead, problems were allowed to become more and more expensive, resulting in the situation we are in today.

“I promise to put an end to wasteful spending, will redirect funds back to campus organizations, and will put students back in control of SG,” added Yaniz.