Student Alliance candidates sign Pledge Against Perks

Last week, Ben Cavataro, Sagar Sane, and Rafael Yaniz, the Student Alliance’s executive candidates, signed a pledge both to turn down all Student Government perks, such as cell phone service and meal cards, and to donate their salaries to the Florida Opportunity Scholars program.

Currently, top Student Government officials receive unlimited cell phone service, $3,000 each in meal cards, and elite “official business” parking decals.

“We’ve never taken these perks before, and when elected, we will give this money back to the students,” said Cavataro.

Cavataro also mentioned how important programs like the Florida Opportunity Scholars are to the University of Florida, stressing that more needs be done for students who cannot afford the cost of attending our university.

“I’m so proud to take what used to be wasteful spending and turn it around to help students who need it the most,” added Cavataro.

Cavataro’s presidential opponent, Ashton Charles, currently receives both a cell phone plan and an all-access parking decal from Student Government, all paid for with student money. She also receives a salary from Student Government. If elected president, the dollar amount of perks she receives will increase by thousands.

The Student Alliance will examine the problem of perks in Student Government, along with other key issues facing our university, in their comprehensive platform.

To see a PDF of the full pledge signed by our candidates, click on the link below.