Student government must listen to its critics
By J. Jioni Palmer
In response to Todd Sargent’s Nov. 29 article, "Kerckhoff groups
work around the clock," I must begin with an acknowledgment of my
ideological and political positions. I do not run from my opinions,
nor do I try to hide them in any way; to do so would mean selling
out the people I work with and for.
I am proud that I stand for something and am not subject to
change depending on which way the political wind blows.
This viewpoint is not meant to respond to Sargent’s article
point by point. It is designed to clear the air on many important
issues facing UCLA students. In addition, it is a challenge to
discuss these issues in an intelligent format, not by hiding behind
words on the pages of Viewpoint.
To answer Sargent’s question, "when was the last time one of
these (Daily Bruin) writers bothered to ask actual student leaders
what we do in USAC," well, if you are not recognized as a student
leader, then you are not a student leader.
Being a leader means more than having a title. Leadership is the
ability to develop a base, and by working on their behalf, earning
the recognition and privilege for directing that energy.
No USAC member can immediately claim the title of leader when
barely one-fourth (and in the recent facilities commissioner race,
one-tenth) of students voted to elect them. This does not preclude
them from becoming leaders  they must possess some leadership
ability if they can get 5 to 15 percent of UCLA students to vote
for them.
Perhaps we all need to listen to our critics rather than
shutting out their voices of reform. Criticisms of USAC and its
members are very specific. They either address USAC as a whole or
they address certain offices. One thing that remains remarkably
consistent about the criticisms of USAC (during this year and in
years past) is that the Student Welfare, Community Service, Campus
Events and Cultural Affairs Commissions have not been mentioned.
They are criticized for what they do but not for doing nothing,
unlike every other USAC member. Why is that?
This is because they individually meet some of our collective
needs. They bring us concerts, worldly speakers, culturally
enriching programs, opportunities to work in the community and
health awareness services.
But what about the other offices and what about USAC as a whole?
What direct services is the president providing? Where is the
student government newsletter our internal vice president promised
us? Weren’t we supposed to have "Club of Clubs" or "Campus
Olympics" brought to us by our general representatives? If I am
wrong, let me know (but I do have your campaign literature). Why
does our money subsidize their fees if we get no services in
return?
If our student government is not serving students, they have no
legitimate reason to collect our fees and spend our money. USAC has
no collective agenda on anything, let alone providing services.
That External Vice President York Chang started the "FoCoS"
program (and student retention project) means very little to
students as a whole if our student government is not fully behind
it. What has USAC done on retention? Even simpler, what positions
have they all taken? What do they talk about with the
administration when they have dinner with them twice a quarter?
In his article, Sargent asks a very important question when he
asks us to be critical of people quoted in The Bruin about USAC. He
asks, "Are they USAC leaders advocating a cause, despite constant
accusations of ‘doing nothing’?"
We are saying advocacy is not enough! Yes, Mr. Sargent, we must
"be critical!"
As political action and education coordinator for the African
Student Union, I am charged with the political awareness of UCLA’s
African community. This is accomplished through public forums and
the use of the media. I am concerned about issues that affect the
campus as a whole.
We do not exist individually or collectively in a vacuum. The
fresh air of exchanging ideas is necessary for growth. I appreciate
Sargent’s words, but they are not enough.
I invite members of USAC and any concerned students to
participate in a series of debates, public forums or town hall
meetings where we can address issues and seek resolution. I can be
reached at 825-8051, or at 320 Kerckhoff Hall.
Palmer, a second-year political science student, is Political
Action Coordinator for the African Student Union.