One of the primary goals of this year’s undergraduate
student council has been to build a closer connection with the UCLA
community. Yet many students say they still feel disconnected from
their representatives.
“From what I know, it seems like a good group …
I’m sure they’re very involved in what they do,”
said Jillian London, an undeclared first-year student. “I
just can’t connect with them.”
“The whole thing about USAC is I wish it was more apparent
to me,” added Philip Kao, a first-year engineering
student.
This lack of knowledge about Undergraduate Students Association
Council among students seems widespread, but diverges from the
opinion of some councilmembers who believe the general student body
is well-informed on USAC’s function and how to become
involved with student government.
USAC has made it a priority to ensure students are aware of how
to become involved with student government, said External Vice
President Matt Kaczmarek, adding he had seen very positive
responses from students.
To reach out to and inform students of USAC’s function,
council has put on various informational programs throughout the
year.
Council began the year with an open house and since then it has
continued to communicate with students through flyers, workshops
and discussion via USAC’s Web site.
President Anica McKesey believes these programs have been
successful in building a closer relationship with the student body
and added she communicates with students on a daily basis.
Students who are involved in some campus groups say USAC is
accessible and open, but many other students say they are
disconnected from council and would not know how to contact it with
an opinion or concern.
The issues USAC discusses directly impact life at UCLA and many
students would like the opportunity to have their voices heard.
Some of the topics discussed in recent weeks include fee
increases, enrollment caps, workers’ rights and same-sex
marriage ““ issues which elicit strong responses from
students.
Many are concerned about USAC’s stance in support of
same-sex marriage, while others were glad to hear that the council
stood up for important political issues.
Kao said he worries that USAC may not have considered the
opinions of the student body in making its decision to come out in
support of same-sex marriage.
Other students said they would prefer USAC to focus on issues
that were more directly related to UCLA.
Katy Szeto, a third-year biology student, said she believed it
was more relevant for USAC to address problems that directly affect
students ““ like fee increases and enrollment caps ““
rather than topics such as same-sex marriage.
Eileen Evangelista, a third-year biology student, has a
different response to USAC’s position in support of same-sex
marriage, saying she thinks it is an important statement for them
to make.
“I think that’s pretty brave, not everyone’s
going to be happy,” she said. “To me that’s
commendable to take a side on such a controversial
issue.”
Council is also currently discussing an amendment to its funding
guidelines, a change that would affect thousands of UCLA
students.
If passed, this proposed amendment would open funding to student
groups that are political and religious in nature. Such groups are
currently ineligible for funding.
Those who are pushing for the amendment call the current
guidelines discriminatory because they categorically deny funding
to certain student groups based on their views.
Evangelista said she thought it would be beneficial to provide
funding to all student groups and doesn’t have a problem with
council funding groups with views different from her own.
On the other hand, some worry about using mandatory student fees
to fund politically and religiously based groups.
Kao said he thinks it is unfair to use student fees to fund
political and religious groups and that these groups should seek
another, private source of money.
But despite USAC’s current efforts to reach out to
students, many don’t know how to communicate their concerns
to their representatives.
USAC members are continually looking for ways to better connect
with and inform students. USAC plans to continue working with
students though community service programs and other events,
Schreiber said, in addition to communicating through
council’s new Web site.
Community Service Commissioner Justin Schreiber outlined some
new ideas for spring quarter, including distributing brochures and
holding workshops. Schreiber also said he hopes to work more
closely with the Daily Bruin to gauge student opinion and find out
how USAC might better serve the UCLA community.
“One of the most important things is getting out to
students,” Schreiber said, adding that he would like to see
council work together to find a way to build a closer relationship
with the student body during the current councilmembers’ last
quarter in office.