Incoming Vice President of Internal Affairs Rishika Salvi resigned from her 2025 – 2026 Associated Students of the University of California, Riverside (ASUCR) position.
Citing multiple grievances with the organization, Salvi explained that “Throughout my time [in ASUCR] I’ve noticed that there has been a history of not giving credit where credit is due, provoking conflict without substance, and a general lack of respect within the space. And I’ve seen this in incoming elected officials as well.”
She continued, expressing dissatisfaction with the way she has been treated during her time working in the organization: “I feel like I’ve been trained and taken advantage of enough in this space, emotionally and physically, and I hope that next year doesn’t entail that.”
Outside of her own mistreatment, Salvi explained that post-election she has seen ASUCR members harassing each other via social media. Salvi shared that “there is no excuse for defaming anyone in order to make yourself feel powerful, and that is something I’ve seen on Instagram for the past couple of weeks through elected officials or campaign accounts.”
Her decision to leave ASUCR was not an easy one, however, Salvi no longer “felt comfortable representing an association that acts in this manner … The actions and attitudes of current and incoming members of this association have led me here.”
Salvi closed her resignation with words of advice to the incoming elected officials, encouraging them to “at the very least — starting today — be mindful of the individuals who you could be potentially hurting. And if I don’t see any of you again, have a great summer.”
Following Salvi’s resignation, incoming Executive Vice President (EVP) Mia Rose Tu’ifua hoped to reiterate that “within the senate chambers and out, ASUCR should be a safe, healthy and great work environment. But even more than that, ASUCR should [be] a safe place for everyone to work together.”
Although Salvi had already left the chambers, EVP Tu’ifua apologized that Salvi’s experience was unpleasant and her sincerest hopes that “this new cohort of senators, Executive Cabinet (ECAB) and extended ECAB can work together to make sure that no one going forward feels like that.”
