The candidates running for the undergraduate student
government’s Cultural Affairs commissioner in next
week’s elections said they would continue many of the
office’s current programs while working to expand cultural
programming on campus.
Experience in programming is imperative for the position, said
current Cultural Affairs Commissioner Robbie Clark.
The three candidates are Wendy Flores, Marcello Robinson and
Kelly Wynn.
The main tasks of the Undergraduate Students Association Council
office are to manage event programming and provide resources for
events, Clark said. The commission is responsible for putting on a
variety of cultural events like the JazzReggae Festival, art
exhibitions and film festivals.
All candidates hoping to replace Clark said they have obtained
programming experience through involvement in various student
groups and activities.
Second-year sociology student Flores said her experience in the
Latin American Student Association, Hermanas Unidas and her role as
a mentor will help her achieve her goals.
“I would like to represent more student organizations to
bring students together,” Flores said. She said she would do
this by adding more multi-cultural events such as art displays and
concerts to the list of campus events.
Though Flores, an independent candidate, said she does not have
any previous experience in USAC, she said she loves challenges and
is willing to learn.
“My main goal is to have an established communication with
everybody and see everybody’s perspectives ““ that is an
important quality in a leader,” Flores said.
Another candidate, Robinson, a third-year theater student from
the Students United for Reform and Equality slate, also said he
would be a good leader because of the experience he has had.
Because of his involvement in the NAACP chapter at UCLA, the
Student Alumni Association and the Interfraternity Council,
Robinson said he is qualified for the position. Robinson also said
he has had direct experience in USAC as the council secretary his
first year.
If elected, Robinson said he would work to better represent the
numerous culture groups on campus.
“We have 100 plus culture groups on campus but only about
four or five groups are represented by (the current office). My
goal is to represent more groups,” Robinson said.
Robinson said that he plans to set up an art gallery, to invite
notable speakers to campus, and to bring back Mardi Gras. He added
that the programs should be entertaining as well as
educational.
The final candidate, Wynn, a fourth-year American literature,
French and African American studies student, also said she would
work to expand the office. Wynn is a member of the Students First!
slate.
“I want to continue the positive trend (the commission) is
on currently, but expand it by moving some programs to the
Hill,” said Wynn, who is the current chief of staff of the
commission. “I would like to connect all students to the
office by providing space to express creativity.”
A program she said she wants to add is a student pallet showcase
where students can audition for concert series that are put on by
the commission. Wynn is a member of the student fee advisory
committee, director for the Black Pre-Law Society and has held
leadership positions in the dorms.
A fourth candidate, Andrew Reinicke, was deemed ineligible to
run by the USAC Elections Board due to his absence from a candidate
orientation meeting this past week.
The two candidates with slate affiliations said they would feel
more accountable to students and not their slates.
“Once elections are over with, slates are out the
window,” Robinson said, adding that he joined S.U.R.E.
because it was difficult for an independent candidate to get
elected.
But Wynn said First! is more than a slate name, it is a
lifestyle that promotes accountability to students.