Whereas, the Associated Students of the University of California, Irvine (ASUCI) is a student government that supports positive initiatives that are organized by students; and,

Whereas, ASUCI strives to enhance the overall campus experiences for all UC Irvine undergraduate students; and,

Whereas, it is the duty of ASUCI to acknowledge students’ concerns and push for solutions to solve these issues; and,

Whereas, ASUCI has been working closely with the UC Irvine Student Outreach and Retention Center (SOAR) Center ever since its establishment in 2011; and,

Whereas, the Student Outreach and Retention (SOAR) Center at UC Irvine benefits support and enrich the academic, personal, and social experiences of students attending the University of California, Irvine; and,

Whereas, SOAR is committed to the outreach, retention, and successful graduation of every undergraduate student at UC Irvine; and,

Whereas, SOAR is a space for students to study, network, and engage in the planning and implementation of student initiated programs; and,

Whereas, SOAR advises and supports student initiated academic preparation programs for underrepresented students; and,

Whereas, SOAR engages and encourages partnerships and collaborations across the UCI campus; and,

Whereas, the SOAR Center implemented a new goal to reduce hunger amongst UCI students by providing non-perishable food items through the SOAR Food Pantry and the Emergency Food Box Program; and,

Whereas, the SOAR food pantry will be located inside the SOAR Center’s multi-purpose room and equipped with a 5-ft high, 5-ft wide, 10-in deep shelving unit; and,

Whereas, the food will be picked up from Second Harvest by SOAR professional staff on a bi-weekly basis and transported in staff personal vehicles

Whereas, a permit will be requested from Transportation Services to access the driveway leading SOAR to ease the food delivery process; and,

Whereas, SOAR staff will keep track of the inventory of the food; and,

Whereas, the SOAR Food Pantry will be open to all students in need of food; and,

Whereas, students will fill-out a short intake form that will help keep track of the use of the food pantry once the food pantry is established; and,

Whereas, the students will be provided with food under the community principle to use the SOAR Food Pantry; and,

Whereas, student leaders Alexander Fung (Retention Coordinator of UC Irvine SOAR Center/Co-Commissioner of ASUCI Campus Action Team), Jessica Figueroa (Working Class Caucus Chair of United States Student Association/Co-Commissioner of ASUCI Campus Action Team), and Jennifer Lima (ASUCI Legislative Council Social Sciences Representative/Administrative Intern of UC Irvine SOAR Center) have been working closely with Dr. Graciela Fernandez (Director of UC Irvine SOAR Center) to push for this initiative; and,

Whereas, UC Irvine currently lacks a program to reduce hunger amongst UC Irvine students; and,

Whereas, the Director of the SOAR Center Graciela Fernandez will have oversight to ensure that all SOAR Food Pantry practices in dealing with food supplies are in compliance with Second Harvest guidelines and all applicable university health, environmental, and safety codes; and,

Whereas, the staff advisor will be responsible for obtaining a list of recalled items from the FDA to maintain food safety, and arrange quarterly space evaluation from the UCI Environmental Health and Safety department; and,

Whereas, the staff advisor will also be responsible for coordinating the ordering, pick-up, and delivery of food items; and,

Let it be resolved that ASUCI Legislative Council supports SOAR Center’s Food Pantry Initiative; and,

Let it be further resolved that ASUCI Legislative Council will continue to work closely and follow up on the Food Pantry Initiative with student leaders Alexander Fung, Jessica Figueroa, and Jennifer Lima; and,

Let it be further resolved that ASUCI Legislative Council acknowledges the need of a program that reduce hunger amongst UC Irvine students; and,

Let it be finally resolved that ASUCI Legislative Council sends copies of this legislation to the Executive members of ASUCI and the Director of SOAR Center, Dr. Graciela Fernandez.