What's USAC?

The Undergraduate Students Association Council (commonly referred to as USAC) is the government that represents the undergraduate student body at UCLA.

REPRESENTATIVES:

The council is comprised of 13 elected members and several ex-officio members.

Their primary responsibilities include representing UCLA student interests to the administration and outside world, as well as allocating about $3 million in yearly student fee money to support programs and campus events.

The offices sponsor campus events such as speakers and $2 movies, and some are also active outside the UCLA community, lobbying local, state and national officers on behalf of students.

OFFICES:

Each office is dedicated to a specific responsibility. For example, the external vice president is the liaison between USAC and the outside world, whereas the internal vice president is responsible for relations between USAC and student groups.

Other offices have more focused job descriptions, such as the Academic Affairs commissioner, who is the liaison between USAC and UCLA deans, department heads and the Academic Senate.

PRESIDENT:

The president is responsible for coordinating and overseeing the activities of other councilmembers. Additionally, the office of the president generally sets its own agenda for the year and pursues goals laid out as campaign promises during elections.

The president is also responsible for making over 50 appointments to campus governing boards including the Student Activities Center Board of Governors and Academic Senate committees.

SLATES:

There are two unofficial political parties, called slates, which currently divide the council. The slates represented on council this year are Bruins United (BU) and Students First! (SF!), though the slates can and do change every year.

Students First! tends to focus on issues of diversity and minority access to UCLA; lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights; and cultural awareness. Bruins United tends to focus on campus issues such as academics, obtaining an on-campus bar and the Undie Run.

Some councilmembers are independent, meaning they are affiliated with neither slate.

MEETINGS:

USAC meets every Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Kerckhoff 417.

CURRENT OFFICERS:

President: Gabe Rose (BU)

Internal Vice President: Dianne Tanjuaquio (BU)

External Vice President: Justin Hotter (BU)

General Representatives: Michelle Lyon (BU), Christina Colosimo (BU), Sanobar Sajan (SF!)

Academic Affairs Commissioner: Addar Weintraub (BU)

Campus Events Commissioner: Colin Iberti (independent)

Community Service Commissioner: Stephanie Chang (independent)

Cultural Affairs Commissioner: Bernice Julie Shaw (SF!)