Partisan politics in student government has a long history at
UCLA, and it continues today.
In recent memory, this has been the case since a mid-’90s
demographic transformation in the undergraduate student government,
but this year, officers said they are working to minimize its
effect on important decisions.
This year’s Undergraduate Students Association Council has
its most diverse political makeup in the last decade, with five
members of the Student Empowerment! slate, five members of the
Students United for Reform and Equality slate, and three
independents.
Students with similar ideas and who want to increase their
chances of winning an election often join slates, which are similar
to political parties and help students pool together a common
support base.
Though some USAC officers recognize slate politics have an
effect on council, they generally downplay its influence.
“Slates will come into play only because people have
varying moral and political stances,” said External Vice
President Chris Neal, who ran on Student Empowerment!
Slate-type actions occurred on Sept. 24 when the council
rejected four white presidential appointees to the USAC judicial
board, with Student Empowerment! members advising that President
David Dahle seek more diverse applicants.
A similar situation happened Tuesday when council failed to
approve the Muslim Student Association’s appeal for more base
budget funding, with the majority arguing on the grounds that the
appeal did not prove wrongdoing. All five Empowerment! members
voted to approve the appeal.
But slate members said votes are not organized according to one
type of orientation.
“We have a similar way of thinking about issues,”
said Robbie Clark, cultural affairs commissioner and Student
Empowerment! member. “It’s natural people might vote
together or challenge the same things.”
On the S.U.R.E side, slate leader Dahle also said he does not
organize voting with his four slatemates.
“Our principle was vote the way you want to vote,”
he said.
“I don’t question voting as long as council is in a
calm manner,” Dahle added, referring to any perceived
slate-driven voting habits.
But Dahle acknowledged that students might factor in the
possibility of block voting when presenting issues up for a vote by
USAC.
“I’m sure it’s a consideration for people
putting things on the agenda,” he said.
Campus events commissioner and independent candidate Ryan Wilson
said any effect of slate influence in making council decisions
“could cause major problems,” and said USAC has to
“take each other’s ideas for what they’re worth
and find common goals.”
S.U.R.E. member and financial supports commissioner Andrew
LaFlamme said students need to see individual USAC members
representing students rather than depending on just the collective
body to do so.
Clark echoed this sentiment, saying the public’s continual
focus on the council as slate-driven could “contribute to a
rift in the council.”
The council was dominated by the Greek system until 1995 when
the Students First! slate ““ comprised of students from
underrpresented communities ““ won the presidency and swept
the rest of the positions for which it ran.
Students First! morphed into Praxis and then Student
Empowerment!, and held a majority on council from 1995-2001. This
past May, S.U.R.E. took the presidency in an unprecedented
victory.
Neal said even though slates are mistakenly seen as political
parties, he will continue to represent the student advocacy groups
who supported his campaign.
“I have a commitment (to these groups), so I’m going
to represent those interests,” Neal said. “If
that’s seen as a slate issue, then fine.”