Tuesday nights are terrible. Perhaps it’s because the
Undergraduate Students Association Council spends 40 minutes
talking about a resolution that everyone fundamentally agrees on.
Or maybe, it’s because we finally have a student council as
diverse as the student body; there are about 25,000 undergraduate
students, all with opinions, and only 13 councilmembers.
In USAC’s history, which spans over 40 years, the student
population has doubled, but only one representative has been added
to the council. No wonder elections are hotly contested and
bitterly won. Many have claimed that this year’s council is
political and time-wasting, that little has gotten done
overall.
On a large campus with many contending issues, politics are
needed in order to raise awareness about pressing issues. I would
contend that this year has seen one of the most successful councils
in the recent history of USAC.
Almost every mind on campus is represented by this split
council. There is a voice for almost every segment of campus:
almost every major religion, North Campus and South Campus, Greek
and non-Greek. Best of all, we have seen the value of that
diversity with the programs that have been put on and new issues
that have been raised.
In past years Westwood has not been taken seriously enough by
USAC. But this year, we have worked on everything from campus
safety to Town Halls to International Social Justice conferences to
Movies for Canned Food drives. In fact, almost every program is a
collaboration among offices. The entire council may not back one
issue, but two to five offices still work together on advocacy and
programming. Yes, things slow down ““ anyone who attends
meetings Tuesday night can tell. But that is the price we pay for
democracy and for having people of different backgrounds and
ideologies coming together. Could you expect any less than a
diverse council from your student government?
Dare I say, a split council is probably the best thing for this
campus ““ it forces dialogue and compromise. Bruins United has
compromised on almost every appointment from USAC this year. We
turned down only two of the dozens brought forth. Have mistakes
been made? Yes, but that is expected given that this is the first
split council in any current student’s memory.
We spend time on what people are passionate about, such as
social justice and campus spirit. We even spend time, though a
small amount compared to everything else, on bylaws, because some
councilmembers promised when they got elected that bylaw reviews
and changes would occur. It is the responsibility of any government
to make sure its guiding documents are in line with the times and
with the current thought.
A diversity of ideas is a difficult thing from time to time, but
it makes UCLA great. How can we become upset with the effects of
that diversity ““ long meetings and sometimes raised tempers
““ when they are an effect of the council’s
inclusiveness? This year’s USAC has represented almost every
segment of campus, and I am proud to have been a part of it.
Vardner is the 2005-2006 USAC
Facilities commissioner.