Public figures use USAC experience in political arena
By Menaka Fernando
March 12, 2003 9:00 p.m.
What do two state senators, a student government election
adviser and a Westwood historian have in common?
USAC.
Many alumni who participated in the Undergraduate Students
Association Council during their college years said their
experiences on council gave them various skills that have helped
throughout their professional careers.
Several former elected student representatives became elected
public representatives later in their lives.
California State Senator Sheila Kuehl spent a good amount of the
1958-1959 academic year representing students as the Upper Division
Women’s Representative on what was then known as the Student
Legislative Council.
Currently serving her first term in the state Senate after
serving six years in the state assembly, Kuehl said her experience
on council didn’t largely contribute to her accomplishments
as a public official but that the experience did teach her about
the political process.
“Being on council helped me understand what it meant to
make policy,” Kuehl said.
Still, it was mostly her experience as an advocate and attorney
that encouraged her to run for office.
“I didn’t run until the age of 53 after being an
advocate for women’s issues and against various kinds of
discrimination,” she said.
Some of Kuehl’s most prominent accomplishments included
helping introduce bills that proposed universal healthcare and
incorporated the Roe v. Wade decision into California law.
Kuehl, the first openly gay person to be elected to the
California Legislature, also founded the UCLA newsmagazine FEM
during her time on campus.
Kuehl advised students who are interested in a political career
to first gain experience in public service.
“Don’t just do politics; it’s important to
build a resume of public service … so there are a number of
people who already know and trust you,” she said.
Another state senator also drew from his experiences in USAC
while pursuing a political career.
Dean Florez, who served as USAC president in the 1986-1987 term,
said his role in state government is the same role he had in
student government ““ the role of the agitator.
“I was an agitator then … I am still an agitator,”
Florez said.
During his USAC term, Florez charged the administration of
misusing over $200,000 of student fees. The chancellor at the time,
Charles Young, was quoted in the Daily Bruin calling Florez a
“jerk.”
The charges are “insane,” Young had said.
“(Florez) is a jerk. I’ll spell it out for you:
j-e-r-k!”
The governor hasn’t called him a jerk yet but is getting
close to it, Florez said.
Florez’s office was responsible for helping reform labor
conditions for farm workers.
He advised students to always challenge authority.
“Constantly challenge what’s being told to you …
and ask hard questions, it’s the way to grow,” he
said.
Other USAC-affiliated alumni didn’t go on to pursue
political careers but still remained politically involved.
Steve Sann, UCLA historian and the 1978-1979 financial supports
commissioner, said he remains active with candidates and campaigns
in the Westwood area.
Sann even campaigned for Kuehl when she ran for the State
Assembly and organized a campus fundraiser that netted over
$10,000. Sann added that he met Kuehl through his involvement in
USAC.
“Your paths cross with the people you meet over the
years,” he said. “The contacts I made as a student …
are invaluable.”
Some never wandered very far from the USAC table.
Nearly 20 years after he was first elected to council as student
welfare commissioner, Mike Cohn still makes occasional appearances
on the table to answer questions as the USAC Elections Board
Adviser. Cohn also works at the Center for Student Programming as a
student affairs officer.
“Having been a candidate, a campaign manager and now as an
adviser, I’ve done it all,” Cohn said.
He added that his experience on council has helped him to better
understand student issues.
“I enjoyed working with students, I loved UCLA and all my
interests just came together,” he said.
Some graduating council members of this year’s council
said they may also pursue careers related to their offices, though
they do not plan to run for public office yet.
External Vice President Chris Neal said he plans to work for the
United States Students Association and continue some of the work he
had been doing as a board member of the association.
Other council members said they would also like to become
involved in politics.
Facilities Commissioner Adam Pearlman said he plans to work for
the U.S. Justice Department after graduating.
While most council members plan on becoming involved in either
the non-profit sector, medical field or law field, some said they
wouldn’t count out running for public office.
“Its important to put yourself in a position that gives
you a lot of options … and if the opportunity presented itself, I
would look at it,” said President David Dahle.
