The upcoming school year will usher in a lot more than budget cuts and new freshmen: an undergraduate student government is ready to put into action the programs it has been working on all summer.
The Undergraduate Student Association Council is comprised of 13 student officers elected each spring quarter. The council members are in charge of everything from allocating money and office space to student groups, to hosting programs such as Bruin Bash.
“We represent all UCLA students when it comes to issues regarding academic excellence, freedom and services they want to see on campus. As a UCLA student, you’re automatically part of the Student Association, so there’s a monetary investment,” said USAC President Cinthia Flores. “Basically anything a student does on campus can be related to USAC. It’s a place to sponsor student development.”
Each councilmember has a staff of about 20 to 25 people, selected to help accomplish the plans they have for the upcoming year, Flores said.
The collective goal of the council is to address the effect of the budget cuts on student services and to maintain the quality of the UCLA experience, she added.
“I have a younger sister and I want her to have access to a university. The youth really motivates me. I feel like we should lay something that’s as good or better for the coming generation,” Flores said.
Similarly, External Vice President Susan Li emphasized her office’s commitment to alleviating financial pressure for students and helping them get involved on a local, statewide and national level.
“I really want [students] to know that there is someone here fighting here for affordability and to access to higher education,” she said. “We’re doing this great work and students who are saying this really sucks, can come to us and join the movement.”
Shahida Bawa, internal vice president said her office is committed to ensuring the funding student groups need, as well as solidifying programs she has worked on in the past, such as BruINTENT.
“I want to make sure I’m available to all students regardless of affiliation. We have a very diverse and active staff so we’ve got a lot of information and we’re looking forward to making the best of this experience,” Bawa said.
Councilmembers have also been working on furthering several resolutions pertaining to the suspension of the International Development Studies major, the closure of Night Powell and the arts and chemistry libraries as well as finding a solution to the cancellation of Undie Run, Flores said.
“Our primary responsibility is to advocate for students on campus. We’ve been thinking outside of the box a lot. We do have a budget that is constraining us,” she said. “We want you to be involved. It’s the perfect time.”
USAC meetings are held every Tuesday night in Kerckhoff 417 and are open to all students who wish to attend. Meetings begin at 7 but guest seating is limited.