Letter to the Editor: Comments on USAC midyear budget report disrespectful

I thank the Daily Bruin for its coverage of the Undergraduate Students Association Council Internal Vice President office’s midyear budget report, previously referred to as the USAC quarterly budget report. However, I also wish to respond to some of the statements made in the article “Councilmembers raise concerns over budget report accuracy,” published April 3.

In particular, External Vice President Maryssa Hall’s statement that the report was “mediocre.”

I find it laughable that there are councilmembers who choose to demean the work of others, when in fact it is their unwillingness to work together that truly deteriorates the efficiency and productivity of council. No one should be so disrespectful to belittle the positive work of another.

As noted, Hall initially tried to block the budget report due to perceived slate bias, consequently delaying the project. Once the responsibility of the project shifted to Jacob Ashendorf, USAC’s budget review director, Hall repeatedly delayed meetings for months, which severely compromised the availability of accurate data regarding expenditures.

The transparency and accessibility of USAC should not solely rest on the shoulders of one office. It should be a collective effort by the council. I recognize the budget report was not perfect; however, it was executed to the best of our ability given difficult circumstances. It pains me to see a fellow officer repeatedly attempt to disrupt another office’s project. I wish to thank those who, instead, have worked tirelessly this year to serve our student body rather than a political faction on campus.

Avi Oved
USAC internal vice president