While some members of the Undergraduate Students Association
Council have made concrete progress on keeping their campaign
promises, others are still in the planning and research stages of
their projects, and have only until spring to fulfill the promises
they made to students when they were elected.
To a large degree, councilmembers this year have focused on
their own individual goals and programs rather than council-wide
goals. In previous years, the council has worked as a unit on
large-scale campaigns, in addition to their individual
projects.
Some of the promises fulfilled by councilmembers include
President Jenny Wood’s establishment of an International
Social Justice Network, an association of several UCLA groups, and
General Representative Marwa Kaisey’s creation of USAC Town
Halls on the Hill, which have already been held.
Other campaign promises were more general, such as Internal Vice
President Kristina Doan’s goal to foster student leadership
and strengthen student groups, which is hard to quantify. Doan
organized January’s Student Leadership Summit and has held
networking events for student leaders.
One councilmember said it is easier to achieve goals that are
aligned with past officers’ goals.
This year, it was easy to increase student participation at
lobbying conferences since the past two external vice presidents
worked toward similar goals, said current EVP Jeannie Biniek.
“Previous EVPs laid the foundation (for the lobbying
program) and we have built the structure,” Biniek said.
The only major issue that all of council has worked on this year
is the proposal to change the structure of USAC to include a
senate, though the council is divided on the issue. Councilmembers
have spent time on the senate proposal since it would change the
entire structure of student government, even though the issue was
not one of council’s chosen concentrations for the year.
The senate proposal is headed by General Representative Brian
Neesby, and his office has concentrated on establishing the policy
change for a majority of his term.
Though the council did not pass the proposal when they voted on
it several weeks ago, Neesby is still trying to get the measure on
the spring election ballot.
“My goals (this year) were structurally focused. I’m
a policymaker, not a programmer,” Neesby said.
Other councilmembers said some campaign goals were stalled due
to logistical issues and personnel changes.
Facilities Commissioner Joe Vardner said his campaign to
increase meter time per quarter for parking came to a halt after
the director of UCLA Parking Services changed.
Doan also encountered difficulties promoting mental health
awareness after the head of Student Psychological Services quit
last quarter.
Other councilmembers, while they have not completed their goals,
said the inroads and connections they are making are equally
valuable.
President Jenny Wood’s promises included health care
reform at the Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center.
Though little substantial change has been accomplished, “more
of a relationship has been developed (with the Ashe Center)”
that will benefit future projects, Wood said.
Many councilmembers believe that the current council’s
achievements also include building relationships between
administrators and the council.
“We’ve shifted the philosophy of the council to work
with administrators, which is a big change from past years,”
Neesby said.