SBP Candidate Adolfo Alvarez aims to bring fresh perspective, administrative connections

Adolfo Alvarez said he hopes to bring a fresh, outside perspective to student government.

Alvarez, a junior studying global studies and media and journalism, is one of three candidates running for student body president.

Previously, Alvarez served as secretary general for UNC’s 14th Model United Nations conference, currently serving as the vice president of the Carolina International Relations Association.   Al though he has experience collaborating with campus communities, Alvarez has never worked within student government.

“I think my number one qualification is that I am an outsider,” he said.

Tolu Dapo-Adeyemo, the director of communications for Alvarez’s campaign, said that campaigning without student government experience has presented challenges, such as navigating bureaucracy.

“But I think at the same time, I think it also gives us more tenacity,” Dapo-Adeyemo said. “It gives us more drive to do what we do and to do it well.” 

To address student concerns and provide transparency, Alvarez has constructed a policy platform consisting of 12 “Tar Heel Targets,” including plans to create a 24-hour accessibility hotline, increase graduate student stipends and create a “Carolina Closet” professional and regalia rental system. 

When forming the campaign platform, Alvarez said that he looked toward organizations and students around campus. His policies regarding housing, such as his desire to introduce a hardship housing system, were advised by the Residence Hall Association, and his policy regarding mental health and promoting UNC’s Counseling and Psychological Services was advised by Keegan Lee, a student mental health advocate and author.

Pranav Nemani, Alvarez’s co-campaign manager, said that Alvarez and his campaign team have met with various student organizations across campus, including fraternities and club athletic teams.

“Every time we asked them, 'What is your relationship with student government?' And every time they said, ‘We don't really have one right now,'” Nemani said.

On Tuesday, Alvarez was endorsed by Sunrise UNC, a student organization dedicated to fighting climate change and its ramifications. Alvarez said he views the endorsement as a good indicator that student organizations are looking for a progressive student government, something he believes is in line with his goal to represent all students.

Alvarez was also endorsed by The Dialectic and Philanthropic Societies following their candidate debate on Wednesday.

He said that following recent campus protests, students need clarification from the administration on what actions are classified as “disruptive campus operations.”

“People want to see that clarity, and that's what I want to advocate for,” he said.

After meeting with organizations affected by the campus DEI repeal, Alvarez said that his campaign has learned that they will not be able to sway administration opinions regarding certain policies, such as free speech.

“That's going to be a truth,” he said. “But how can we move on from here to create change from within? How can we create a more inclusive, more open student government?”

Dapo-Ademayo said that even in the wake of federal legislation that "rolls back protections" for marginalized communities at UNC, Alvarez and his campaign are committed to standing up for students.

Alvarez said that the best part of campaigning has been seeing that he isn’t the only one who cares about issues students face on campus.

“I don't want to come into this position because I want to get something out of it personally,” Alvarez said. “I want to have a relationship with the administration because I want to advocate for students.”

Note: Tolu Dapo-Adeyemo currently works for the 1893 Brand Studio.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this article listed Alvarez as UNCMUNCs director-general of internal affairs. 

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