Tuesday, November 18, 1997
Media neglects to mention quality programs
USAC:
Despite incessant criticism, undergraduate student council
members deserve praise for workBy Joseph Medico
USAC has continually been the subject of criticism over the past
couple years. Rarely do students ever hear of the good that comes
out of student government.
I would like to address Stefanie Wong’s article on Nov. 11
("USAC general representatives establish their goals for the
year"). In this article Wong stated that I was not available for
comment. This, to an extent is true ( if you can call one
half-assed effort phone call to my office the day before the
article is to be printed "not available for comment"). When I
returned her call later that day, to my great surprise, she was
nowhere to be found. If Wong’s purpose was to make a total fool out
of me I wish she would have informed me. Wong knew she would see me
the next day at the council meeting where I would have readily
answered questions, but I suppose that the article was too
important to wait.
This is not the first instance that Wong has attempted make a
council member look bad. About a month ago Wong wrote an article
about Cultural Affairs Commissioner (CAC) Mike Hamilton that
questioned his ability and integrity. Anyone who has been around
Kerckhoff this year knows that there is always a great amount of
work being done by the CAC. Hamilton and the other 12 council
members deserve praise, not harsh criticism.
It has been said that USAC does not work on issues that are
relevant to students everyday life at the university. This is
entirely incorrect.
First let’s look at the obvious. Student government provides a
multitude of direct services including the book lending program,
the food discount program, self defense courses and a job fair
 just to name a few. Through educational forums and teach-ins
(one thing my office will be integral in) students are given the
opportunity to learn about many things we are denied in our
university education.
The sexual harassment issue is often covered up because students
tend to be scared of any possible repercussions. This year, general
representative Darnell Grisby has provided an outlet for students
to discuss any case of sexual harassment and take action on it.
These mediums help students cope with life at UCLA but also give
them an outlet for future benefit long after they have left the
university.
In other cases, students may not always see the importance of an
issue that USAC may be working on. Take the upcoming prison week,
for example. By now you may be wondering how California prisons
could possibly be relevant to a UCLA student. Let’s look at the
facts. Over the past 25 years or so approximately 18 prisons have
been built in the state of California, and what for? Prisons are an
extension of corporate greed and a loss of funds that should have
gone towards education. This means less money in financial aid and
student resources at the university level. There is much more on
the topic of prisons that can be learned from prison week, which is
Nov. 17-20. You can educate yourself by attending the forum on
Wednesday.
As far as my particular office is concerned, I will be working
on forums that can educate students on sweatshop labor,
international exploitation of women, and globalization of labor
(all of which will not use one cent of student money). In addition,
I will be working closely with general representatives Jo Anna Ley
and Darnell Grisby in any type of forum that gives students a
different educational perspective from the one we receive at the
university. The general representatives’ office will also sponsor
several open mics that will allow students to express themselves
through spoken word and poetry.
I hope that students in doubt will understand that USAC has
always worked on relevant student issues and will continue to for
the remainder of the year.
The article reflects a very limited number of things that USAC
participates in. If you would like to get involved, student
government is sponsoring an internship program through President
Kandea Mosley’s office. By getting involved you definitely will see
through the negativity that is in the paper and reap the benefits
of the positive things USAC has to offer. By the way, I am always
available for comment and can be found at 311 Kerckhoff Hall (phone
number x52759). I can also be e-mailed at usarep2@asucla.ucla.edu.
Please come by Kerckhoff Hall if you have any questions for any
council member. We will be happy to answer them.