At some point during our time at UCLA, we all come across an
issue that directly affects our lives. Issues such as housing,
parking, financial aid, campus safety, health, racism, sexism and
homophobia have impacted many aspects of our lives as students.
Many students before us have actively engaged themselves in the
campus community to create change about issues they care about.
Student activism on this campus has resulted in increased
financial aid, the creation of a retention and outreach programs,
the creation of ethnic studies centers, 24-hour study spaces, the
BruinGo! program, student-run community service projects, fair
wages for university employees and being the first university to
divest from the South African apartheid.
Only two years ago students organized statewide to bring about
the repeal of SP-1 and 2, which originally eliminated the
consideration of race and gender from university admissions, hiring
and contracting. It is now our turn to ensure this legacy continues
and students and student issues are at the forefront of our
university.
Today’s daily reality at UCLA is a university with the
number of underrepresented students of color, particularly black
students, lower than almost any time in UCLA’s history. It is
a university where students and workers have to fight against
administration to provide fair and just wages and labor practices.
It is a university that likes to make decisions and leave students
out of the decision-making process.
As we embark on another school year, we must exercise our power
as students to demand our collective voices be heard. Only by
engaging in the various programs, discussions, debates and
campaigns, will we realize this power as a student body. Only then
will this university truly be ours.
As UCLA’s official undergraduate student government, the
Undergraduate Students Association Council is committed to address
the needs and concerns of the undergraduate student body. USAC is
composed of 13 offices and commissions, each focusing on a specific
aspect of undergraduate life, from community service to noontime
concerts, diversity issues to internships, and cultural events to
policy advocacy.
Each of the elected officers and commissioners are dedicated to
ensuring the student voice is heard, and to bring you programs and
services to keep you active, aware and involved. USAC’s role
is to serve students. Thus, every student should not only be aware
of, but also take part in their student government.
Thirteen individuals cannot adequately represent the voices of
over 25,000 undergraduates. USAC needs you to take part in the
various campaigns, programs and debates to ensure the student voice
is heard on this campus. Whatever your interest, there is an office
for you. Stop by our offices located on the third and fourth floors
of Kerckhoff Hall.
If student government isn’t for you, there are hundreds of
student groups and over 20 student advocacy groups for you to join.
Through these groups, we are able to learn about current and world
events, perspectives from marginalized communities, the latest
underground hip-hop music, multicultural arts and traditions, and
knowledge and experiences we can never gain from our classes.
Student groups play an important role in enriching our educational
experience through such programs. Only by partaking in these events
can we truly make our education holistic and relevant to our
lives.
We need you.
I not only challenge myself but all of you to make the choice to
get involved. The time is now. Make that choice to have your voice
heard on this campus. Make that choice to educate yourself further
about the various issues directly or indirectly affecting each and
every one of us. It is up to us as students to create changes and
impact the world around us.