Campus sophomore Zachary Mackin is running as an independent candidate for the ASUC Senate.

Mackin aims to improve student access to resources, increase funding for clubs and departments and improve the ASUC’s relationship with students. According to Mackin, campus resources are hard to access. As a result, he will work to improve campus internet services, extend library and Recreational Sports Facility, or RSF, hours and advocate for more funding.

“I’m committed to taking everyone’s concerns and representing all students, and to push the campus and ASUC towards popular demands and to create better opportunities for students,” Mackin said.

Internet connection is a problem on campus, according to Mackin. He noted there are students who can’t study on campus due to poor internet connection.

Mackin added there are students who have no other option but to study in campus libraries due to their living conditions.

“I’ve talked to people who have class all day and they need to do their homework, and some live in a loud living environment which is not conducive for studying,” Mackin said

Mackin is advocating for an expansion of hours at libraries and at the RSF to accommodate for overcrowding.

Students are paying a lot in tuition and the ASUC should advocate for student needs, Mackin said.

Mackin added he will advocate for more funding for departments. Mackin alleged that there are a lot of departments who do not have adequate funding to support their students.

The economics, psychology and electrical engineering and computer science, or EECS, departments are some of the departments that Mackin said lack funding.

“EECS had a town hall about the budget crisis in February,” Mackin said. “It’s frustrating for students who paid tuition and can’t take the classes that they want to take. It’s unfair for students, they pay too much in tuition, and they can’t get the education they need and deserve.”

More funding for clubs is another priority for Mackin, as he noted clubs struggle to obtain funding.

Mackin also wants to improve students’ relationship with the ASUC. He said that the ASUC has failed to create an environment where students feel represented.

“In the past election, less than 10% of students voted,” Mackin said. “This is an issue because it does not represent the student body as a whole.”

Mackin added many students don’t understand how the ASUC works and said this has to change.

If elected, Mackin aims to represent all students and to push ASUC to support student demands.

“I want to rebuild ASUC to push for things the student body has asked for,” Mackin said in an Instagram post. “These include extended facility hours, like the library and RSF, improved funding for departments, like EECS, and upgraded internet.”