Campus sophomore Rebecca Soo hopes to pick up where she left off after announcing her intention for reelection as an ASUC Senate candidate March 10.

Soo currently serves as an ASUC senator, representing the campus Christian community. While Soo said she recognizes that running for election a second time is not “traditional,” Soo is “happy” to run again if it means she can have the opportunity to continue plans and projects that began this year.

“I am incredibly proud of the work that the office* has done and forever thankful for every individual that has supported, prayed, and partnered with us,” Soo said in a Facebook post. “But it would be naive to say that the work is finished. Far from it. In fact, if there’s anything I learned this year, it’s that progress takes time. It takes pulling the weeds, planting the seeds, watering the seeds, and whole lot of prayer, to reap a harvest.”

Having sat in a senatorial seat since fall 2019, Soo said she brings her experience in the ASUC to the table this electoral season. According to Soo, one lesson she learned during her time in the senate is that progress and change take time. Her 20-person staff can only do so much, Soo added, and collaboration with other ASUC senators is key to achieving some “gigantic dreams.”

Soo said she plans to continue her platform focusing on security and mental wellness because it is inclusive to every student on campus. This year, Soo has worked to educate and market resources that students can use on campus, such as BearWalk.

If elected, Soo plans to continue to raise awareness of security resources available to students and also expand on these resources through collaboration with UCPD and other ASUC commissions.

In terms of mental wellness, Soo’s office had been organizing a panel for the spring semester, however, campus events were recently canceled. Soo said she hopes this event can come into fruition next semester but is not sure what the timeline of the panel would be.

The COVID-19, colloquially known as the coronavirus, pandemic is at the forefront of Soo’s office’s priorities. Soo said she is concerned about voting accessibility for students and acknowledged that voter turnout may decrease because of the pandemic but is “not super concerned about it.”

Soo added that she hopes election deadlines and guidelines will be lenient in the context of COVID-19.

“Coronavirus has impacted literally every single person on this planet. … We need to be a little more empathetic in this process,” Soo said. “I think it’s unfair to ask people, ‘Can you think about my campaign?’ It’s more important for community people to vote if they’re interested in having representation in the ASUC.”