From pictures of Malcolm X calling for reform “by any
means necessary” to Bruce Lee posters to family photographs,
new undergraduate student government councilmembers will
personalize their Kerckhoff Hall offices in preparation for next
year’s many late nights and early mornings.
A common theme in many offices this year was political activism,
with timeless statements on human rights and equality as well as
specific opinions on recent issues adorning the walls.
For example, former president Anica McKesey’s office
featured tributes to such leaders as Che Guevara and Emiliano
Zapata. Posters of past political movements and personal heroes
were packed so tightly in Allende Palma/Saracho’s internal
vice president office that little white paint was visible.
Some councilmembers will continue this theme of political
activism when moving into their new offices.
External Vice President John Vu plans to add his own personal
flare to the decorations that his predecessors have accumulated
over the past 14 years.
Vu pointed to a metal bookshelf with bumper stickers dating to
the early 1990’s to show the contributions that other
councilmembers made to the office, long before he ever set foot in
Kerckhoff or the UCLA campus.
The office also leaves room for Vu’s personal additions,
which he said will focus on voter registration, the current budget
situation and possibly a Bruce Lee poster.
Palma/Saracho will be moving from his current office to the much
more spacious office of the president but plans to continue to use
many of the same decorations that were displayed in his old
office.
Posters of influential leaders and global movements will be
displayed on the walls to serve as a reminder of
Palma/Saracho’s history and his goals for the future.
“I’ve collected a lot of posters, a lot of magazine
covers, a lot of photographs that really capture some important
moments in time “¦ to keep us reminded of where we come
from,” Palma/Saracho said.
In particular, Palma/Saracho pointed to Malcolm X, Che Guevara
and Zapata as some leaders that he finds most inspirational ““
coincidentally, these figures are also displayed in the
president’s office by McKesey.
Not all councilmembers will follow in their predecessors’
footsteps as closely as Vu and Palma/Saracho plan to, but will
bring a completely different look to the offices.
Internal Vice President Darren Chan plans to display pictures of
his personal heroes, but they will be in the form of family
snapshots rather than political posters.
“For me, it probably will be my dad, my family. “¦ My
dad is really my hero,” Chan said.
His signboard, which features pictures of many of his friends,
will also be a staple in his new office as a reminder that his
purpose in office is to serve the student body, Chan said.
Students visiting the Financial Supports office will also not be
likely to enter a politically charged atmosphere.
“I don’t want to make a big deal about (politics) in
my commission. It’s about the things that you’re doing
that pertain to the commission goals,” said Alex Gruenberg,
Financial Supports commissioner, adding that he did not share the
same ideological leaning as many other councilmembers.
Many offices will also show evidence of current projects and
past actions ““ Gruenberg said his office will be so packed
with books for the book lending program that there will be little
room left for decorations. Others plan to post Daily Bruin articles
reporting on both accomplishments and disappointments.
Amid all the work, councilmembers do have some time to be
students with personal interests outside student government, and
this will reflect in their decorations.
Campus Events Commissioner Jason Gaulton has put up primarily
movie and music posters.
The office of the external vice president will likely be one of
the more inviting ones next year as Vu hopes to give it a
comfortable atmosphere. He plans to refurbish the couch, buy new
chairs, and keep the room clean for visitors from across the hall
as well as from across the country.