This post was updated Aug. 1 at 4:24 p.m.

The Undergraduate Students Association Council approved a resolution condemning a rise in anti-Arab, anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian racism during its second meeting of the summer July 8.

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

Public comment:

• A UCLA student said they are in favor of the resolution condemning anti-Palestinian, anti-Arab and anti-Muslim Racism. They added that they believe the university has failed to appropriately respond to Islamaphobic violence – physical, verbal and emotional – in “a direct contradiction of the diverse, safe campus” UCLA claims to uphold.
• Syed Tamim Ahmad, 2024-2025 USAC International Student Representative, spoke on his experience facing targeted oppression as a Muslim student. He said he is in favor of the resolution because the events occurring on campus and beyond are not accidental, but systemic.
• Hamza, a student who did not give their last name, spoke in support of the resolution and said Muslim students often feel forced to take personal safety precautions because UCLA has failed to implement sufficient safety protocols.
• Mahnoor Ahmad, a rising third-year human biology and society student, spoke in support of the resolution and said she feels hesitant to wear her hijab or carry her prayer mat across campus because she is worried that her identity will make her a target.
• Najm Hoda, a rising second-year computer science student, said he supports the resolution because he has family members who experienced discrimination at UCLA. He added that someone made “extremely” Islamaphobic remarks about the hijab booth his family member was running on Bruin Walk.
• Hanan Ahmed, a rising third-year civil engineering student, said she is a Black Arab student who has worn a hijab for six years. She added that she supports the resolution and hopes administration, faculty and students will stand with her.
• A Palestinian Muslim student, who did not give their name, also spoke in support of the resolution, saying that it speaks to the reality that discriminated-against people face every day.

Funding:

• The council did not allocate any funding during the meeting.

Special presentations:

• Simra Mirza, the 2024-25 USA Elections Board director of external relations, and Michelle Golden, the 2024-25 director of endorsements, advocated for an increased 2025-26 budget for the USA Elections Board. USAC cut all elections board member stipends in half and advertising funds from around $10,000 to $2,000 for the 2025-26 school year. Based on the cost of supplies, graphics, student media advertisements, assistance and facilities, Mirza and Golden said that $2,000 would not be enough to sustain the USA Elections Board’s operations next year.

Appointments:

• The council unanimously appointed Mehreen Suzaan, a rising fourth-year computational and systems biology student to the Student Fee Advisory Committee.
• The council appointed Wyatt Lewis, a rising third-year psychobiology student, to the Student Health Advisory Committee.

Officer reports:

• President Diego Bollo attended the meeting, but did not give a verbal or written report.
• Internal Vice President Tommy Contreras said his updates would be written but did not update his written report.
• External Vice President Sherry Zhou said she met with each of her heads of staff for office planning and reminded everyone that the UC Student Organizing Summit – an annual conference focused on the intersection of organizing and student issues – is in less than a month. She added that UCLA’s four officers to the UC Student Association have been appointed.
• General Representative Talia Davood said in her written report that she has scheduled a meeting with Nicole Presley – the senior executive director of UCLA Student Resilience and Mental Health Services – to discuss the Dialogue Across Difference Initiative, which “aims to model and promote the values of intellectual engagement, curiosity, empathy, active listening and critical thinking through a series of campus events, classes, informal learning opportunities and social programming,” according to the office of the executive vice chancellor and provost website. She added that her staff director applications have been published and are under review.
• General Representative Jayha Buhs Jackson said in her written report that Bollo plans to meet with Suzanne Seplow, the assistant vice chancellor for student development and health, additional UCLA Administrators and Ralina Joseph, the new dean of inclusive excellence on June 25.
• General Representative Brett Berndt did not attend the meeting and did not update his written report.
• Academic Affairs Commissioner Cristopher Espino said in his written report he conducted several interviews for positions in his office and delegated a student representative to discuss the Student Initiated Outreach Center with administrators.
• Campus Events Commissioner Daniel Leal said in his written report that he is working on sending out offer letters and planning logistics for BruinBash.
• Community Service Commissioner Edison Chua did not update his report.
• Cultural Affairs Commissioner Divine Trewick did not update her report.
• Facilities Commissioner Joy Huang said in her written report that USAC is looking for appointments for the Campus Sustainability Committee and is hiring three project directors and up to 26 staffers for all committees.
• Financial Supports Commissioner Nico Morrone said in his written report that he is organizing the budget review committee for next year.
• Student Wellness Commissioner Hannah Yip said in her written report that she met with case management staff to go over prospective collaborations and has a meeting with the UCLA Health Rape Treatment Center, Santa Monica to discuss potential partnerships.
• Transfer Student Representative Hyerim Yoon said in her written report she met with the Academic Program Review Committee on June 29 to make interview questions for the Academic Senate, Communications Board and Judicial Board.
• International Student Representative Keya Tanna said in her written report she gave an interview to “The Nation” – an American monthly magazine covering progressive political and cultural news – to share her perspective on life as an international student in today’s political climate. She added that she attended the Transfer Leadership Fair “to conduct ISR outreach, network with student leaders and publicize applications for director positions in her office.”

Agenda items:

• The council approved the Resolution Condemning the Campus-Wide and Global Rise of Anti-Palestinian, Anti-Arab, and Anti-Muslim Racism. The resolution calls for Bruins to treat one another with dignity and respect, and to act in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct, Faculty Code of Conduct and Personnel Policies for Staff.
• The council – led by Jessica Alexander, the Student Government Services division manager – reviewed the 2025-2026 USAC Budget, and how it will function logistically in the coming year.