USAC shifts duties to new council amid concerns over unity as power transfers to Bruins United
Last USAC meeting with 2010-2011 officers.
Correction: The original version of this article did not introduce Emily Resnick as the incoming USAC president.
Amid the tears and kind words spoken at the last undergraduate student government meeting of the 2010-11 council, outgoing officers also expressed serious concern over next year’s unity.
At the end of the five-hour meeting, the members of the Undergraduate Students Association Council passed on their responsibilities to next year’s council.
With a nearly evenly split council this past year, unity and compromise have been essential for decision-making, said Berky Nelson, USAC administrative representative.
“Different opinions are important because they help work out the conditions for compromise,” he said. “(But) it’s about USAC putting on (events), not about individual slates.”
Next year, the Bruins United slate will have its first majority in four years, taking seven seats while Students First! will hold three and independents will hold three. This year, Bruins United only held four elected positions.
At the meeting, officers emphasized the importance of maintaining council unity, despite the clear imbalance in slate representation.
Slates are groups that pool their resources and run under similar platforms. Bruins United candidates traditionally run on platforms such as campus pride, while Students First! focuses on issues such as diversity and affordability.
Incoming USAC president Emily Resnick said she won’t allow slate politics to affect unity.
In hopes of continuing with outgoing president Jasmine Hill’s efforts to improve council unity, Resnick said she plans to meet with individual council members on a regular basis and hold events where council members and committee members can mingle.
“My ultimate goal is to unite the campus, and that has to start on the council table,” Resnick said.
Although Hill encouraged Resnick’s unity-driven leadership approach, she expressed doubts over her ability to deal with pressing issues such as the budget cuts.
“I’m not even sure if you’re aware of what you’re about to get into; I think you have a disconnect with council,” Hill said to Resnick during the meeting. “You have a lot of energy, but your problem is going to be getting campus to take you seriously.”
Cultural Affairs Commissioner Kinnery Shah, who will continue in her office next year, said that while she agrees councilmembers should ultimately represent students rather than slates, USAC cannot disregard ideological differences.
“There are fundamental differences in the way (the slates) view the needs of the school, and our decisions will vary because we have different mindsets,” said Shah, a Students First! member.
Though the makeup of the council will change, Shah said that affordability should remain a key issue, regardless of slate majority.
“We’re just looking at such an intense climate right now, the way the UC system is getting cut,” she said. “If affordability is not at the forefront of council, then we have a problem.”
Although Resnick’s platform focuses largely on issues such as campus pride, she said she still intends to tackle budget cuts.
“It’s not like we’re going to spend all our money on homecoming and ignore student needs,”
Resnick said in an interview before the meeting.
Other members expressed confidence in Resnick’s ability to unify student government.
“I have faith that council will continue to strengthen under Emily’s leadership,” said Jamie Yao, who will continue her office as Community Service commissioner next year.
Hill also said she hopes Resnick will continue programs such as John Wooden Day and push forward with projects such as the diversity requirement curriculum proposal.
Outgoing Facilities Commissioner JC De Vera advised the future council to understand the importance of compromise.
“Do not be dictated by platforms, but go above and beyond your office,” he said. “There are real issues that should be collectively addressed as a council.”
