With former officer ineligible, USAC votes in new commissioner

The undergraduate student government unanimously appointed a new community service commissioner Tuesday night, after the former community service commissioner was charged with sexual battery last week.

Omar Arce, the Undergraduate Students Association Council community service commissioner, plead not guilty to sexual battery and other charges last week. A UCLA student filed a report with UCPD about alleged sexual assaults involving Arce. If convicted, he could face up to four and a half years in prison.

During Arce’s arraignment on Friday morning, the judge issued a stay-away order to keep Arce from the student who reported the series of alleged incidents. The order also prevents Arce from participating in USAC because he cannot be on campus, said UCPD spokeswoman Nancy Greenstein in an email statement.

USAC President John Joanino said that he received a notice from UCLA administrators earlier this week saying that Arce was no longer eligible for office.

Councilmembers voted Alex Lee, the former assistant community service commissioner, into office Tuesday night.

The council moved into an executive session to discuss Arce, but did not take any action during that time, Joanino said. Immediately after the executive session ended, Joanino nominated Lee for commissioner. Lee accepted the nomination and the council made the decision.

Councilmembers did not interview Lee Tuesday night, though they are required to conduct open interviews, according to the Associated Students UCLA and Undergraduate Students Association Constitution.

Lee, a fourth-year history student, had already taken on some of Arce’s responsibilities, such as sitting on several campus committees, including the Volunteer Center Fellows committee and the Student Risk Education Committee.

The Community Service Commission includes more than 20 community service projects. In USAC, it is one of the largest offices – both in student participation and in its budget.

Lee said that no programs have been canceled since Arce’s arrest, and that the commission is continuing to run efficiently because its staff is dedicated and have enough institutional knowledge to continue their jobs.

“(Community Service commissioner) is a prominent role, but the commission is much larger than one person,” he said.