Several weeks ago the mod team discussed the possibility of r/UCLA being used by campus organizations as a platform to engage with students while spring quarter is conducted online. At the time, we considered implementing a verification policy but decided against it, believing it would decrease engagement. However, recent events have caused us to reconsider this policy. For the sake of transparency, I would like to bring two posts to the attention of the community.

Several days ago, this post TLDR: This election, YOU decide on a $45/yr fee supporting events, resources, and space for marginalized communities. was made by u/Orion4USAC. It had taken text from a Facebook post by Orion's campaign page found here. We were later contacted by another user claiming to be Orion alleging that u/Orion4USAC was not associated with the campaign. To the best of our knowledge, control of the u/Orion4USAC account was given to this user shortly afterwards.

Although this situation seems to have resolved itself, neither u/Orion4USAC nor the other user have been verified to be affiliated with Orion's campaign.

Yesterday, an account by the name of u/NaomiRiley4President made a post where they claimed to be Naomi. In this post, u/NaomiRiley4President outlined parts of a campaign platform and engaged with several users in the comments. We were later contacted by another another user claiming to personally know Naomi and alleged this post was made by someone not associated with the campaign. Whether the described platform accurately reflects Naomi's campaign is not known to the mods, and the post was later removed.

At the time of writing this, neither u/NaomiRiley4President nor the other user have been verified to be affiliated with Naomi's campaign.

Due to these and other incidents that have precipitated from spring quarter being online, various referenda, and the upcoming USAC elections, the mods have decided to implement a verification system for any account representing a campus organization or candidate.

Beginning April 25th and until the conclusion of voting on referenda, self service flairs will be turned off and all new flairs will be assigned by the mods. This will allow candidates and campus organizations to have a verified presence on this subreddit. For candidates and organizations hosting referenda, verification means that the mods will be able to better assist in removing misleading posts from accounts masquerading as part of your campaign. More importantly, it will let users know that information from your account is genuine and not made by those trying to undermine your campaign.

While this system is mainly in place to prevent users from spreading misinformation about ongoing campaigns, any campus organization that plans to host an online event, as long as promoting the event abides by our rules, is free to apply for verification as well. We will not be assigning flairs to individuals or for groups who do not plan on hosting an event for their organization.

We realize that transfer decision day and the SIR deadline are soon approaching, and many newly accepted students will be eager to flair themselves as members of our community. The timing is very unfortunate, but rest assured, self service flairs will be restored after voting concludes.

If you are part of a campaign and would like to verify your presence on r/UCLA, please PM the mods here. Do not contact this account for verification.

The 25,000 subscriber contest is still active here.