UCLA’s outgoing undergraduate student body president spoke directly to his successor John Joanino across a room full of people, welcoming Joanino to the president’s office at an installation ceremony Sunday afternoon.
“Being able to navigate a divided council takes a lot of skill,” said David Bocarsly, the current Undergraduate Students Association Council president to Joanino. “And you have the ability to do that.”
Bocarsly also gave Joanino a minifridge and a coffeemaker for his office in Kerckhoff next year to help him manage the job.
“This year is going to challenge you,” Bocarsly said. “You are going to have the (latest) nights you could ever imagine.”
The incoming USAC officers were sworn into office in front of about 60 people in Kerckhoff Grand Salon. At the installation ceremony, the current USAC officers introduced their successors and gave them gifts as helpful tools for their work next year.
Jan Tancinco, the current USAC Campus Events commissioner, nearly started crying as she introduced her successor, Jessica Kim.
“I wrote some things down (to say) but I think it’ll be more personal if I just speak from the heart,” Tancinco said.
After taking a few deep breaths to hold back tears, Tancinco said the entire Campus Events Commission staff had been impressed by Kim’s work this year.
“We never questioned that you were the right candidate for this position,” Tancinco said.
Tancinco repeated multiple times that Kim will take on her new responsibilities with the support of the entire commission.
“I remember last year I was really scared (coming into office), and I just want to tell you that you don’t need to be because the whole staff supports and loves you,” Tancinco said.
Some of the gifts given to next year’s officers have been passed down in the USAC offices for multiple years.
Anees Hasnain, the current Community Service commissioner, gave her successor Omar Arce a copy of “Robert’s Rules of Order” – a book that outlines the structure for community meetings – in which past commissioners have written down memories and words of wisdom.
Next year, the Bruins United slate will hold the most seats of any slate on the USAC council. Joanino is a member of the LET’S ACT! slate.
Incoming Internal Vice President Avi Oved, a member of the Bruins United slate, said he thinks he and Joanino have a strong understanding of each other and want USAC to be a transparent organization.
“Officers aren’t on a pedestal,” Oved said. “It’s (the officers’) job to go out and make sure (they) have a pulse of what the campus needs.”
Oved added that he wants to work closely with Joanino to ensure that they present the council with a united front.
Joanino also said he plans to work toward consensus on the council next year and ensure the council is responding to the needs of the student body.
“We have to be able to work together despite affiliations,” Joanino said. “We have to remember that the job goes beyond the council table.”