Through Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning, the crowd in Kerckhoff 417 grew to include more than just the current undergraduate student government as newly elected councilmembers gathered, waiting to take their places at the table.
Before the changing of the guard, though, it was business as usual for the current Undergraduate Students Association Council in its last meeting of the year.
The first order of business was the approval of last week’s election results, as presented by Elections Board Chair Mallory Wang.
She said that this year’s voter turnout was the highest since 12 years ago when voters were offered the incentive of free ice cream after voting.
When discussion ended, the election results were formally approved by a unanimous vote.
After brief officer reports, the council moved to an order of old business: approving the recently adjusted Office Space Allocation Committee allocations for next year.
The committee is a nonpartisan body which allocates office space, mailboxes and lockers in Kerckhoff Hall to student groups that apply.
After OSAC Chair Argie Mina presented allocations last week, representatives from groups, such as the Afrikan Student Union, the Asian Pacific Coalition and MEChA de UCLA, said they were dissatisfied with the results.
However, after opening the newly obtained fifth floor office space, Mina was able to reorganize allocations and please all groups involved.
“This is one of the most constructive, positive operations I’ve see regarding space. I commend OSAC for being diligent and listening to what people had to say. This is governance at its best,” said Berky Nelson, administrative representative of USAC.
However, before the council approved the allocations, it made a few amendments regarding accessibility for handicapped students and office space provisions for the Student Judicial Board and the Elections Board.
Since the two boards only meet for a few weeks during the year, they will utilize space in the Center for Student Programming office.
In the event of a space conflict with the two boards, each will also have first priority in seeking communal office space in Kerckhoff.
After the council finally approved the allocations by a vote of 9-1-1, Mina leaped in the air, cheered and hugged a fellow committee member.
“You have given a beautifully wrapped Kerckhoff gift to the next council,” said Willard Tressel, alumni representative.
The council then moved to the topic of subcommittee memos, a project that 2008-2009 USAC President Homaira Hosseini has spearheaded as proof of this council’s achievements.
The memo, which details the efforts of the academic advancement and student engagement, affordability and sustainability subcommittees, will serve as proof of this council’s work while providing recommendations for future councils.
As their last order of business, the council voted 11-1-0 to approve Academic Affairs Commissioner Jeremiah Garcia’s changes to the Budget Review Committee’s funding rubric, a formalized method of allocating funds based on a point system.
The changes included leaving a space on the rubric for the committee to write comments on why they awarded certain points.
The document updated the previous funding rubric and will guide next year’s council in allocations.
After announcements, Hosseini adjourned the meeting for the last time at 9:16 p.m.
The council then participated in Good and Welfare, a tradition at every meeting in which councilmembers can freely share thoughts, stories or a simple “goodnight.”
This last Good and Welfare, however, was filled with memories from an entire year of service together, and as such, lasted over two and a half hours.
Finally, after Hosseini said goodnight, the changing of the guard occurred as the old council stood from the table for the last time and the new council stepped in to replace them.
James Birks, one of this year’s general representatives, handed new council members roses as a sign of congratulations as supporters cheered and took pictures.
“I have watched many of you from day one. Good luck, and I know you’ll make me proud,” said Birks.
Next, the new councilmembers took their pledge in unison, laughing as they stumbled over some of the words, and were officially installed into their new positions.
2009-2010 USAC President Cinthia Flores then led the council through the typical meeting agenda, but with no business thus far, it was a mere skeleton of what the council will experience next year.
When Flores asked for officer reports, several councilmembers smiled and said, “No report.”
Finally, it was their turn to say goodnight during a second Good and Welfare which, instead of memories, consisted of hope and excitement for the council’s future.