As more than 30 student groups fight for the most funding
possible, some groups have nothing to worry about: their funding is
set at $0.
Student groups actively involved in political issues help
characterize the student voice of UCLA, but the university is
uniquely selective in deciding which of these groups receive campus
funds.
Many groups well-known for being politically active on campus
are supported by the university; others are left to fend for
themselves, without even the right to use the UCLA moniker in their
group names.
Examples include the four highest-funded student groups on
campus ““ African Student Union, Asian Pacific Coalition,
MEChA and Samahang Pilipino ““ all of which have over the
years taken extensive action on political issues, such as the loss
of affirmative action in the University of California.
Yet there are student groups who engage in political activities
who do not enjoy the university’s financial support, such as
the Bruin Democrats and Bruin Republicans.
Under the Center for Student Programming, groups fall into two
sets ““ independents or officially-recognized student
organizations.
To qualify for student group funding, which is allocated by the
Undergraduate Students Association Council, a group must have the
distinction of being an ORSO. This requires a minimum group of
three students, a constitution and sponsoring campus entity, such
as a professor or USAC.
Qualifying ORSOs are entitled to office space in Kerckhoff Hall
in addition to council funding, which comes from the $24.09
quarterly fee USAC collects from each student. They also have the
option to use the trademark-licensed “UCLA” namesake in
their group name.
“With university sponsorship you are embraced by the
university, and you represent the university,” said Berky
Nelson, CSP director and USAC administrative representative.
Nelson said independent groups like the Bruin Democrats are
excluded from eligibility for funding to “keep the university
from being involved in political activities external to
campus.”
He said political activities by ORSOs are allowed because they
are “within the bowels of the university.”
But not every UC campus abides by the same restrictions ““
the Associated Students of UC Berkeley provides funding for
independent-equivalent groups.
At UCLA, the historical precedent for group funding has been
largely in favor of student advocacy groups ““ many of which
are now ORSOs ““ said longtime CSP Advisor Mike Cohn, who was
also Student Welfare Commissioner in 1984-1985.
Cohn said student group funding has been controversial for as
long as he can remember.
The funding issue has now become key in USAC elections, with
student groups working not only to promote their candidates but to
secure funding for the next year.