As she nears graduation at UC Berkeley, ASUC President Shrinidhi Gopal is hopeful the initiatives she implemented — such as expanding student accessibility and engagement — will leave a lasting impact on Cal students. With just a few months remaining in the academic year, Gopal, a senior double majoring in economics and data science, is focused on assuring that the proposals she has put forth receive approval and continue to thrive long after her graduation.
During her time as president, Gopal has had a hand in developing and expanding several student-facing programs, from a single-use plastic reduction campaign to providing students with access to an AI-driven academic database.
Berkeley Social Sciences spoke with Gopal about her time as ASUC president and what she hopes to accomplish before graduation. This interview has been edited for clarity.
Since the start of your term, what have been some of your biggest accomplishments as ASUC president?
Shrinidhi Gopal: Through various initiatives, we've focused on increasing student accessibility, engagement and support. From expanding funding for multicultural and social impact programs, to securing free research tools like Perplexity AI for students — we're actively working to improve student life at Berkeley.
What are some initiatives and projects you have helped develop?
Shrinidhi Gopal: The Multicultural Initiative Fund under the Office of the President funds cultural events and activities across 70+ student organizations with an annual budget of $130,000. It supports multiculturally-focused events hosted by Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) on campus, specifically those identified as particularly underrepresented and underserved in the past few years. This grant has ensured events like the Amores Valientes QT ball, Natural Hair DeCal Hair Show, Iranian Students Cultural Organization's Norouz show, the Black Student Showcase, Cal Queer and Asian QA-Con, and many more are supported financially.
The Social Impact Incubator provides mentorship and funding for students looking to launch nonprofit initiatives or startups with a good social focus. It's a mentorship and funding program that connects students with venture capitalists and leaders in the entrepreneurship space, providing them with the resources, guidance and network needed to develop and scale their ideas with support from experienced professionals.
Another major initiative is the Single-Use Plastic Elimination Policy that my office drafted in coordination with UCLA's SUP-Elimination Policy, aimed at phasing out single-use plastics across campus and promoting sustainable alternatives. We are also encouraging more student-led sustainability projects.
We worked with menstrual product company Aunt Flo and the Student Union's Facilities team to install menstrual product dispensers in Eshleman Hall and the Student Union, ensuring that students have access to free, essential hygiene products, and that those dispensers are continually restocked.
My office authored a proposal to the Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Student Services and Fees (CACSSF) establishing an ASUC Undergraduate Mutual Aid Fund, and also worked with ASUC Senator Carlos González, a second-year political science and Chicano Studies student, to submit a proposal to the Big C Grant. This grant would provide funding for improvements to the physical spaces of community centers in Hearst Field Annex, such as the Fannie Lou Resource Center and the Latinx Student Resource Center. ASUC Senator González, a dedicated advocate for the Latin and LGBTQIA+ communities, was recently featured in a national Hispanic newspaper for his insights on generational perspectives and advocacy.
We worked to restart Cal's partnership with Perplexity AI, so that all Berkeley students now have a year of free access to this powerful research tool that enhances academic productivity and learning.
Berkeley GPT is also something my teams and I have been working on. We collaborated with the Berkeley AI community to prototype an LLM that can answer students' questions on all topics related to life at Berkeley from major requirements to registering for DSP. Schools like UCI and UCSD have similar tools, and we wanted to make sure Berkeley students had the same AI-driven academic support.
As your term progresses, what do you hope to accomplish next?
Shrinidhi Gopal: I want to continue expanding funding opportunities, student accessibility and technological advancements that support the Berkeley community. I also want to encourage students to get involved in student government or advocacy efforts, whether through the ASUC or other campus initiatives. My office is always open, and I hope to foster a more connected, supported and engaged student body.
Can you explain more in-depth about the upcoming "THON" fundraiser?
Shrinidhi Gopal: We're adapting Penn State's "THON" 24-hour dance marathon into an all-day event on April 6 starting at 11 a.m. at Krutch Theatre. This event will feature dance performances, student club showcases, food vendors and a pop-up market, creating a collaborative and fun way to fundraise for UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital while promoting school spirit beyond game days.
By participating in this event, we're supporting the hospital's mission to provide world-class medical care to children across Northern California, regardless of their family's financial situation. Our event aims to contribute to the hospital's efforts in providing compassionate and innovative care, ensuring that every child has access to the best possible treatment, and serving all communities. If you are interested in attending the event, register here.
Reflecting on your journey as student body president, is there advice that you would like to give to students aspiring to take on leadership roles at Cal?
Shrinidhi Gopal: My biggest advice is to focus on the impact you make rather than what others might say about you. It's what you do that matters — you have such a unique impact on every single person and thing that you're involved in. I've learned that everyone brings a distinct perspective, and it's invaluable to listen to and understand these diverse viewpoints.
Don't worry about what other people say about you, but it is important to take the time to listen to different opinions and perspectives and understand why people might have those kinds of perspectives. Be open to your viewpoints changing as well. That, I think, is ultimately what has shaped my tenure as ASUC president.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Shrinidhi Gopal: Many students often wonder about what the role of the ASUC President entails. My responsibilities are divided between overseeing the initiatives and projects carried out by my office and attending various committees and meetings. This balance allows me to effectively carry out projects in our office, ensuring tangible improvements for students, while also serving as a representative for the student body on a larger scale by engaging with key stakeholders and committees. This dual role enables me to implement initiatives that directly benefit students and advocate for their interests across the university.
For those interested in making a difference on campus, whether through student government or other avenues, I encourage you to explore the many opportunities available. From cultural events to sustainability projects, there are countless ways to engage and contribute. If you're passionate about an issue, don't hesitate to reach out — whether it's through the ASUC or another organization.
Lastly, I want to remind students that my office is always here as a resource for them. I hope that the initiatives we've implemented will continue to support and empower the UC Berkeley community long after my term ends.