This post was updated on Oct. 22 at 10:13 p.m.

Students discussed feeling a lack of support from UCLA and the Undergraduate Students Association Council during public comment at the council’s meeting Tuesday.

USAC is the official student government representing the undergraduate student body at UCLA. Council meetings, which are open to all students, take place in person at the Bruin Viewpoint Room in Ackerman Union and on Zoom every Tuesday at 7 p.m. Students can find the links for meetings on the agenda posted on the USAC website or watch a livestream on the USAC Live! channel on YouTube.

Public comment:

• Clara Castronovo, the chair of the California Public Interest Research Group at UCLA, said CALPIRG hosted its kickoff meeting Oct. 11 with almost 100 attendees. She added that the organization co-hosted a press event about increasing renewable energy in California and hosted its regional conference with other CALPIRG chapters.
• Multiple students said they felt upset by USAC’s and UCLA’s responses to the recent war in Israel and the Gaza Strip, citing a perceived lack of support for the Palestinian community. Some students added that they felt it was irresponsible for UCLA to not make a statement regarding instances of aggression toward the Palestinian community on and off campus.

Funding:

• The council allocated $14,413 from the Contingency Programming Fund to 40 non-USAC entities.
• The council allocated $3,315 from the Supplemental Fund for Service to two community service commission entities and three non-CSC entities.
• The council allocated $414.95 from the Student Wellness Programming Fund to one USAC entity and one non-USAC entity.
• The council allocated $750 from the Bruin Advocacy Grant to one non-USAC entity.
• The council allocated $25,344.75 from the Green Initiative Fund to one USAC entity and six non-USAC entities.

Officer Reports:

• President Naomi Hammonds said she had a follow-up meeting with the UCLA Infectious Diseases Management Team to discuss COVID-19. She added that she met with the Big Ten Academic Alliance to discuss UCLA’s entry into the conference. Hammonds also said she met with the Gender Recognition Act Implementation Committee to receive updates on the progress and future of the committee, which ensures that UCLA meets the standards of the UC presidential policy on gender recognition.
• Internal Vice President Megan Law said her office conducted interviews for open positions, including the directors of the Finance Committee and Budget Review Committee. She added that she met with the Associated Students UCLA board of directors and Student Organizations, Leadership & Engagement to plan upcoming panels and discussions. Law also said she met with representatives from the Graduate Students Association to discuss the True Bruin Distinguished Senior Award process and ceremony.
• External Vice President Eva Jussim said her office continues to advocate for a heavy-rail stop at UCLA as part of the Sepulveda Transit Corridor and is working on a resource guide about transportation issues in Westwood. She added that her office met with the North Westwood Neighborhood Council to plan a walk-through of Westwood to address issues of homelessness.
• General Representative 1 Katie Pool’s written officer report was not available to view.
• General Representative 2 Gabby Lasry said in her written report that she met with First to Go to discuss a workshop for first-generation students. She added in the written report that she met with members of the administration to discuss organizing self-defense classes and funding for commuter parking permits.
• General Representative 3 Jonathan Valenzuela Mejia said he is continuing to work on the Bruin Buddies program, which will support exchange students at UCLA. He added that he is also coordinating with administrators to construct an ofrenda – an altar to honor lost loved ones – for Dia de los Muertos.
• Academic Affairs Commissioner Sujana Sridhar said in her written report that she met with other USAC officers and the Disabled Student Union to discuss signs about COVID-19 and mask distribution on campus.
• Campus Events Commissioner Mason Miller said in his written report that the first Noon Tunes event of the year will occur Oct. 19 at noon on the Kerckhoff Patio.
• Community Service Commissioner Chia Ying Wong said her office worked with The Hunger Project to host an educational event on Bruin Walk for World Food Day. She added that she also met with professors to discuss a screening of Reimagining Safety, a documentary about alternatives to policing.
• Cultural Affairs Commissioner Alicia Verdugo said in her written report that her office is planning a jazz concert for Week 5. She added  that she met with the Armenian Students Association to discuss a resolution and plan an art display.
• Facilities Commissioner Evan Curran said he met with Assistant Vice Chancellor of Campus Life Mick Deluca to discuss the seismic retrofit fee. He added that he also met with the Student Sustainability Leadership Coalition to discuss collaboration between sustainability organizations on campus.
• Financial Support Commissioner Sara Broukhim said in her written report that she met with administrators to discuss the best ways to help students on campus dealing with global events. She added in the written report that she met with Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Monroe Gorden to discuss commuter parking permits and funding for New York Times subscriptions.
• Student Wellness Commissioner Jennis Kang said in her written report that she met with the IDMT about extending contracts for two Exposure Management Team employees. She added that she is working with DSU and administrators to provide updated COVID-19 resources on campus.
• Transfer Student Representative Thyra Cobbs said she discussed a collaboration with Central American transfer students. She added that she also met with Residential Life to discuss upcoming events for Transfer Pride Week.

International Student Representative Adam Tfayli did not give a spoken officer update during the meeting.