The Undergraduate Students Association Council represents all
undergraduate students, yet many students are still unaware such an
entity exists. With elections just a few days away, this
year’s candidates have plans to strengthen USAC’s
visibility in the coming year.
Increasing visibility ““ an issue that USAC has tried to
improve this year ““ is one area in which all candidates are
ready to campaign for.
Though the candidates have varying platforms and positions, they
all agree on advocating for visibility among the student body.
Alonso Martin Del Campo, a general representative candidate,
notices USAC’s lack of visibility among students living in
the residential halls. To help strengthen the presence of USAC, Del
Campo will try and implement two programs.
One program, “Rapping with the Reps,” would give
students the opportunity to eat lunch with councilmembers in the
residential dining halls. During these luncheons, students can
voice their concerns, talk about rising issues, and become familiar
with USAC.
“We are going to them instead of them coming to us,”
Del Campo said. “Every student needs to eat. “¦ This is
a great way to reach out to them and is good publicity for
USAC.”
Del Campo stresses that USAC’s current visibility can be
improved.
Because students pay a lot of fees, Del Campo, says it is
“absolutely important,” that students become aware of
USAC and how their money is dispersed.
General Representative Candidate Jenny Wood, under the Students
First! slate, believes it is important to increase USAC’s
visibility by putting on visible programs.
Though each year the goal of visibility is repeated and is
nearly impossible to be completely successful, Wood said it is a
feasible goal to have every student understand what USAC does.
Peter Bautista, a independent candidate for Financial Supports
commissioner, agrees that visibility among first- and second-year
students is essential in order to get students involved in USAC
from the start of their education.
Bautista feels that a good way to increase visibility is through
strengthening the communication between USAC and the On Campus
Housing Council by having co-sponsored events, such as quarterly
meetings on the Hill. In these meetings, representatives from USAC
can address students’ concerns, and in turn, students can
become educated about USAC, Bautista said.
Jason Gaulton, an uncontested candidate for Campus Events
commissioner, said if students realize the direct correlation
between USAC and the different commissions, USAC is actually more
visible than people imagine it to be.
“USAC is perceived differently than the commissions even
though they are one in the same,” Gaulton said.
Gaulton also added that although it is neither the student
body’s nor USAC’s fault, students in general do not
take advantage of USAC’s resources.
“I encourage more people to seek out councils and
commissions to see the production process,” Gaulton said.
Crystal Lee, an unopposed candidate for Community Service
commissioner, hopes to promote visibility through her
commission’s events.
“I think USAC has done a lot to improve visibility but
there is never a perfect plan for visibility,” Lee said.
“Our campus is huge so it is hard for everyone to know about
USAC.”
Lee plans on increasing her commission’s visibility by
creating unity days, where commission members will sport T-shirts,
buttons and pens ““ exposing students to the Community Service
Commission indirectly. An online journal will also be posted where
students can learn what it is like to be a commissioner, along with
the commission’s upcoming events.
“It will be made clear that the Community Service
Commission is a part of USAC, increasing USAC’s
visibility,” Lee said.
Lee, who is running independently, also added that USAC is
always willing to listen to students’ concerns, but a lot of
students do not take the initiative to voice their opinions.
Pavan Tripathi, an independent candidate for Facilities
commissioner, agrees with several other candidates that there is
not enough representation of USAC in the residential halls, he
said.
“The only time you hear about USAC is when there is big
stuff going on or in the Daily Bruin,” Tripathi said.
Though his platform does not directly address the issue of
visibility, Tripathi plans on having his commission pass out maps
with the USAC logo on them locating study spaces on campus during
the Welcome Week fair in the fall.