Commissioner for USAC steps down, citing personal issues

  Daily Bruin File Photo Kim Coss

By Robert Salonga
Daily Bruin Staff

The financial supports commissioner for the Undergraduate
Students Association Council, resigned from office last week,
citing personal issues, which she declined to specify.

“After speaking to other council members, friends and
family, I thought this was the best choice for me and the student
population,” said Kim Coss.

As FSC, Coss headed undergraduate efforts to improve conditions
of student housing, parking and financial aid.

She also sat on the Budget Review Committee ““ charged with
determining which campus groups receive funding and how much
““ and the Campus Retention Committee, working to help current
students stay at UCLA and to keep them on track to graduating.

The FSC is a voting member of council, helping to shape campus
policy such as the recent raise of parking costs throughout the
university.

“Other members will help fill the void on council,”
Coss said. “The council has been working really well, so I
don’t think it would be a hindrance.”

USAC President Karren Lane, who is responsible for appointing
Coss’ successor, could not be reached for comment.

Applications for the position will be made available this week,
and Lane will make the final decision.

When a replacement is chosen, Coss said, she will help this
person transition into office.

“I will be there as a presence to guide (my successor),
considering it’s mid-quarter and mid-term,” Coss
said.

Coss said she will limit her involvement in student government
outside the council to helping her replacement adjust to the
commission.

Other USAC members recognized the challenge of having a new
member introduced into council late into the year.

“It changes the dynamic, but if the person can do the job,
then the council won’t feel the negative impact,” said
Evan Okamura, external vice president.

Okamura himself was voted into office mid-term last year to
replace then-EVP Portia Pedro, who was forced to leave office when
she could not provide documentation of her eligibility before a
given deadline.

Internal Vice President Kennisha Austin sees the resignation as
a blow to student representation.

“We lost an important perspective and viewpoint,”
Austin said.

Students who elected Coss should not feel disappointed by her
departure, Austin also said and referred to what she called
“tragic” events that influenced Coss’
resignation.

“It’s best for her and the student body to admit
that she cannot serve due to serious unforeseen
circumstances.”

Academic Affairs Commissioner Bryant Tan added that the
resignation caught many members by surprise.

“She was contemplating it and talking to people on council
about it,” Tan said. “This was a big struggle for
her.”

“She really wanted to stay. She kept things running all
fall quarter despite these issues, and at end of fall quarter,
realized it would be better to step down,” he continued.

Coss said she had been thinking about resigning a few weeks
prior to her formal announcement.

“It was difficult; but after really thinking about it, I
finally came to this conclusion,” she said.