Tuesday, 4/29/97 USAC governed by want to aid students All
aspects of undergrad life can be affected by government
By Stefanie Wong Daily Bruin Contributor The upcoming student
government elections have left many students wondering exactly who
and what the Undergraduate Student Association Council (USAC) is,
how it affects them and – most importantly – why they should vote
at all. According to the student government’s constitution, USAC is
an organization comprised entirely of students who are working for
the benefit of other students. One of four divisions of the
Associated Students of UCLA (ASUCLA), the USAC constitution states
that "the Association shall exist to serve the individual and
collective needs of the undergraduate student body" by safeguarding
the rights of students to participate in all ASUCLA activities. But
one look at the student government shows that its reach goes far
beyond such a description. The council’s potential impact on
everyday student life – and the fact that it is funded through
student fees – make it of particular importance to all students. "I
think the major thing about student government is really just
having a voice for students," said Financial Supports Commissioner
Richard Bis. That voice often comes from the council’s
representation of the undergraduate population to the school
administration and the local, state and national governments. "(The
student government), I believe, is there to educate students about
some of the issues that are impacting them external to the
university" said General Representative Michelle Gosom. "(USAC
also) provides resources to student groups and individuals in
helping them with their programming needs," she added. Those
resources come in many different ways and through many different
channels. One example of the programs that the past USAC
administrations have created is the Student Participation in
University Governance, where the student government tried to
strengthen students’ voices in the committees that govern UCLA. The
council has also used its political influence to win back dorm
coupons for meals at campus restaurants and began a booklending
program for students who find it financially difficult to buy their
books. In all, 13 elected officers represent students and student
groups to the council on many different aspects of student life,
such as academic affairs and cultural affairs, according to the
USAC bylaws. The student government also holds programs, campaigns
and activities through those elected offices in order to educate,
entertain and mobilize UCLA students. Each of the 13 offices
focuses on its own specific area of the UCLA community and helps to
provide services and information in these fields. USAC offices give
students a chance to participate in many aspects of UCLA, since
each commissioner often has a staff of students to help organize
events and programs within their particular areas. "With all the
different commissions, what it’s supposed to do is to get however
many undergraduate students we have at UCLA to get involved in
UCLA," Bis said. To become involved with USAC, students can vote,
participate in a student group, work for one of the student
government offices or even run for council themselves. Students can
also be appointed to positions on various committees such as the
Judicial Board, the Rally Committee or the Financial Aids Task
Force. "I think students should get involved with the student
government to be educated on what’s going on around them, to be
active in their community whether they chose to get involved
through a student group or with USAC," Gosom said. "I think there’s
a lot of potential for good to come out of USAC and I think it’s
only possible when students get involved," she added. In essence,
students are the student government. The council’s power – and
duties – flows from the students. Without an undergraduate
population, there would be no USAC. "Students are the ones who make
(student government) work," Bis said. "They’re the ones who make it
work and gets things going."