Unless you successfully became a complete recluse in your room while studying for midterms and managed to completely avoid Bruin Walk and social media, you probably noticed the undergraduate student government elections took place this past week. Bruin Walk was exceptionally active, filled with high fives, smiling faces, insane amounts of flyering, and gigantic signs promoting candidates from UCLA’s two main slates, LET’S ACT! and Bruins United, as well as other independent candidates.
Last week was also filled with controversy surrounding the election. Accusals emerged suggesting LET’S ACT! members used student money and funds from selling illegal substances for their campaigns. LET’S ACT! members denied these accusals, but the situation is being investigated by the USAC Election Board. If members are found guilty, elected candidates could lose their positions on the council. Additionally, a video of Financial Supports Commissioner contender Ruhi Patil imitating her opponent Erineo Garcia was accused of being homophobic. The circulated video involved Ruhi Patil copying her opposition’s dance moves from a video supporting his campaign. Patil apologized for the video and the misunderstanding surrounding it, clarifying she did not believe it was homophobic and did not intend for it to come across that way.
The results of the election were announced on Friday, April 30th. Bruins United candidates won a majority of the positions, including all executive roles. Heather Rosen, elected as president, is the first Bruins United candidate to be elected to the position in the past 3 years and the first woman to be elected president in the past four years. Applause for some #GirlPower! Rosen’s platforms include Dead Days before finals (yes, please!), advocating for food security and sustainability, and creating a middle income scholarship.
Some other personal favorites from the winners’ platforms include a UCLA Street Food Cinema, addressing the tuition increase, a longer De Neve crosswalk, a UCLA winter quarter music festival, on-campus tailgating for away football games, a Bruin Flea Market, improving campus Wi-Fi, free late-night rides through ridesharing, reduced parking fees, and digital BruinCards on our phones.
The Student Group Events Referendum, a proposed increase in student fees by $3 each quarter to fund student groups, did not pass. Which ambitious students succeeded in snagging a council spot? After an extremely tight race, the following candidates won positions on the 2015-2016 Undergraduate Students Association Council:
President: Heather Rosen (Bruins United)
Internal Vice President: Heather Hourdequin (Bruins United)
External Vice President: Zach Helder (Bruins United)
General Representatives: Danny Siegel (Bruins United), Aaliya Khan (LET’S ACT!), Anais Leontine Amin (LET’S ACT!)
Transfer Student Representative: Ariel Rafalian (Bruins United)
Community Service Commissioner: Zack Dameron (Independent)
Financial Support Commissioner: Ruhi Patil (Bruins United)
Academic Affairs Commissioner: Trent Kajikawa (Bruins United)
Student Wellness Commissioner: Marvin Chen (Independent)
Campus Events Commissioner: Lexi Mossler (Independent)
Facilities Commissioner: Ian Cocroft (Bruins United)
Cultural Affairs Commissioner: Amy Shao (LET’S ACT!)
Congratulations to all candidates, and a special congratulations to the elected members! We are looking forward to an excellent 2015-2016 school year filled with lots of positive changes at UCLA! #BruinPride