USAC general representative cancels Stanford football viewing party

An undergraduate student government office cancelled the viewing party for the football game between UCLA and Stanford University, after failing to secure funds to cover the about $9,000 cost of the event.

Danny Siegel, an Undergraduate Students Association Council general representative, said he thought he could secure the majority of the funding through USAC, but a Student Organizations, Learning and Engagement, or SOLE, adviser told him last week the different funds he would potentially receive would not be sufficient.

Siegel said he also found out he could not apply for the Campus Programs Committee’s fund because the funds are only available to student groups.

Josh Rebholz, senior associate athletics director for external relations, said Siegel approached UCLA Athletics officials Tuesday after he realized last week he could not secure enough USAC funds.

“(Given more notice), Athletics would have been more than willing to be a part of this event,” Rebholz said.

Joshua Rupprecht, associate athletic director of communications, said Siegel thought UCLA Athletics could not assist in funding after Siegel told them in June he did not need funding from UCLA Athletics to host the event.

Siegel created a GoFundMe campaign Tuesday in an attempt to secure about $9,000 by Wednesday morning.

“I was a newcomer to the student government and had my own fresh perspective,” Siegel said. “I was trying to think about how I could (uniquely fund the event).”

Pauley Pavilion officials asked Siegel to secure funding for the event by Wednesday morning, according to the GoFundMe campaign page. However, Siegel said Jake Gildea, his SOLE adviser, set the deadline. The GoFundMe campaign received $30 in its first day.

Because Siegel was unable to secure funding by the deadline, he plans to organize a viewing event in Pauley Pavilion for the football game against Utah on Nov. 21.

UCLA Athletics will cover one-third of the expenses, a sponsorship will cover another one-third and USAC will cover the remaining costs, Rebholz said. Rupprecht added in an email statement UCLA Recreation has decided to waive the rental fee and cost to run the video board at Pauley Pavilion, saving Siegel almost $5,000.

Contributing reports from Jillian Frankel, Bruin senior staff.