With an eventful quarter complete with fee referendums, Iraq
resolutions and budget discussions under their belts, members of
the undergraduate student government are settling into their
respective offices and adjusting their goals as the new year and
new term begin.
Examining the results of the randomized online survey sent out
10th week of fall quarter tops the Undergraduate Students
Association Council agenda. The results will be made public at the
USAC general meeting tonight.
A new and revised survey is projected to reach undergraduates by
fifth or sixth week this quarter, President David Dahle said.
Most councilmembers said they plan to continue their work from
fall quarter.
Financial Supports Commissioner Andrew LaFlamme is working on
compiling a comprehensive online housing index to aid students in
their apartment hunting.
The index, which is projected to be ready midterm winter
quarter, will feature an actual map and an aerial view of
apartments in Westwood, LaFlamme said. A link to the index would be
found on the Financial Supports Commission Web site.
LaFlamme also hopes to increase dialogue with the Westwood
Homeowners’ Association to build a better relationship
between the Association and students, he said.
Additionally, LaFlamme wants to increase awareness of
little-known financial aid opportunities for incoming freshmen.
It is important that students obtain this information before
they reach college, he said.
Following up on discussions held last term, Academic Affairs
Commissioner Chris Diaz’s office is working closely with
Academic Senate representatives to tackle the minimum progress
requirement, the diversity requirement, and Racial Privacy
Initiative.
Also slated for the new quarter is a report to be issued on the
semester versus quarter issue sometime in February, Diaz said.
The report will gauge student perspective obtained through focus
groups, student discussion and communication with student
organizations.
Recent events such as the alleged sexual assault in the De Neve
Plaza and the tuition increase have raised concerns and refocused
some council members.
Although council hasn’t met since the incident, Dahle will
meet with the Safety Commission of the Office of Residential Life
to see if USAC can help in any way, he said.
Also, the student fee increase approved by the University of
California Board of Regents last month has caused members to look
into other ways students can save money, such as in housing,
LaFlamme said.
Council will also work on formalizing the spring online election
procedures, which was approved in the fall, Dahle said.