In one of the longest meetings of the undergraduate government
this year, council did not spend its hours discussing bylaw
amendments or passing resolutions. Instead, 12 out of 13
Undergraduate Students Association Council members spent most of
their last meeting expressing their gratitude for each other,
ending the term on a much brighter note than recent years.
The mutual affection shown by all councilmembers before passing
on the gavel to next year’s may have resulted largely from
the absence of the 13th councilmember, General Representative Josh
Lawson.
After elections season officially began three weeks ago, Lawson
has not attended a council meeting.
This is indicative of council’s relationship with Lawson
all year, said outgoing Facilities commissioner Tutram Nguyen.
Hostilities aside, councilmembers emphasized their belief of the
successes council has accomplished this year in working together
““ including Welcome Week and the work accomplished on a
proposed diversity requirement.
Still, many of Lawson’s slatemates were present at the
meetings ““ Equal Access Coalition members that both won and
lost their election runs.
Councilmembers did not allow slate differences to permeate their
first official meeting, and all expressed a desire to work
collaboratively with each other.
Jenny Wood, general representative, said she was optimistic
about council’s ability to cooperate.
“I’m really excited to see everyone wanting to work
together as a team,” Wood said.
Darren Chan, internal vice president, said he had a positive
impression from his first time with meeting with all of
council.
“I think that we got a lot of good people with a lot of
good hearts who are ready to work for the student body,” Chan
said.
Alex Gruenberg, Financial Supports commissioner and one of two
councilmembers representing the Equal Access Coalition, said he
hoped they could work together, but that doing so may be easier
said than done.
“I’m not going to be naive and assume that
everything we encounter we will agree on, but I hope there will be
more discussion,” Gruenberg said.
While two members of the new council have had experience on
USAC, most sat at the meeting table for the first time on Tuesday
evening, and they said they were both honored and excited to begin
their time on council.
“I’m enthusiastic and also very honored to have the
position,” Wood said, adding that she viewed the transition
into office as a learning experience.
The most daunting part of the transition into office is how
quickly councilmembers are required to work.
“The hardest thing about the transition is the time
factor. … (We have) much to do for next week,” Chan said,
adding that President Allende Palma/Saracho, as the former internal
vice president, had been helpful in guiding him through the process
and teaching him about the position.
One major difference between this council and those in previous
years is the absence of representation from the black community,
said Rick Tuttle, administrative representative to USAC.
“For the first time in my memory … it’s striking,
the absence of African Americans on council,” Tuttle
said.
The lack of a black presence on council speaks to the
diminishing numbers in the university as a whole, Tuttle said,
adding that it would be important for council to keep the situation
in mind when appointing staff for various offices.
The new council has entered office at a time when USAC is
working on various sensitive and urgent issues, Wood said, which
she says is the most difficult part of the transition from
candidate to councilmember.