New officers take posts, seek unity amid tension

By Melody Wang

Daily Bruin Contributor

In the midst of political tension and sentimental farewells, the
new Undergraduate Student Association Council was installed
Thursday evening.

Outgoing council members introduced their successors both with
praise and concern as they passed the gavel at the Charles E. Young
Grand Salon.

Eight of next year’s 13 council members will be from the
Praxis slate, but new president Elizabeth Houston broke a five-year
domination of the presidency by Praxis and its predecessor,
Students First!

“This can be a great, successful year for us all, but we
must labor together,” Houston said.

While former USAC members reflected on their experiences and
imparted advice to the new council, many also expressed
dissatisfaction over Houston’s presidency.

Former USAC President Mike de la Rocha said Houston should be
held accountable for what he said was racism during the
campaigning.

“She ran on a platform that specifically targeted students
of color,” de la Rocha said.

In her installation speech, Houston said she cannot be held
responsible for all of the racism during elections.

“It takes two to divide a campus. There were mistakes and
things said,” Houston said. “There was racism on both
sides, but I have chosen to move past that because that’s
what leaders do.”

Houston added that as president, she will attempt to reconcile
racism and divisiveness on campus. She said USAC members will need
to work together to have a successful year.

“There are many issues to deal with this year,”
Houston said. “We all can’t agree on everything;
that’s just a fact, but we can agree to respect each
other.”

But returning Campus Events Commissioner Jared Seltzer said he
is not worried about political tension between council members.

“There’s all of this political division, but
we’ll get over it,” he said.

Houston said next year she hopes to increase resources given to
various outreach programs through community fund-raising and
corporate investments.

As he introduced the new president, de la Rocha said he did not
blame Houston for what she has said in the past, or for her lack of
experience. Instead he said he hopes she will use her privilege to
help others.

“I do very much congratulate you on your victory and hope
you prove peoples’ conceptions of you to be false,” de
la Rocha said.

Many former USAC members expressed gratitude and respect toward
de la Rocha, as well as those involved in USAC who don’t sit
on council.

“Mike has been an outstanding president,”
Administrative Representative Lyle Timmerman said. “He has
shown to have courage and conviction and yet he’s left
himself open to criticism.”

As part of USAC tradition, former members passed down a copy of
Robert’s Rules of Order, the rules of parliamentary
procedures, to each new member.

Steve Davey, who will continue serving as Facilities
Commissioner, said he has learned more from his experiences in USAC
than he has in his classes.

“USAC will mean more to me than my diploma,” Davey
said.

Former Academic Affairs Commissioner Ana Lynn Rocio said the
primary responsibility of council members is to serve the
students.

“I hope the council creates space where everyone has a
voice, not just the 13 elected,” Rocio said.

Adam Rosenthal, another former representative, said it was
important to stand up for one’s beliefs and ideas.

“Don’t be afraid to implement programs you care
about because other people don’t care,” he said.

Wendy Sanchez, a former general representative, said everyone
has the opportunity to grow.

“Stay on the road to becoming better people, because I
believe all of you have the ability to,” she said.

In a speech at the beginning of the ceremony, Timmerman praised
USAC for everything it accomplished in past years.

“It’s a fine legacy and continuous tradition,”
he said. “UCLA is really above in terms of student
government. This year’s council is no exception.”