Trinh serves as the USAC Student Welfare Commissioner.
By Peter Trinh
Man oh man, how lucky I am to be elected as a USAC
officer. I just sit around and vegetate all day waiting for
the stipend check to roll on in. And of course, I am supposed
to go to weekly meetings for USAC. But I wouldn’t really
call them meetings. I’d preferred to call them sessions
on how each USAC officer can just vegetate a little more.
I’m sure this is what you’ve all been thinking after
reading several articles pertaining to how ineffective and
unconcerned USAC is about students and student opinions. Well,
you’ve been led down a wrong road.
It’s funny how the individuals that write the articles
criticizing USAC probably haven’t been to a single meeting
this year. If you didn’t know, USAC meetings are open to
the general public and are Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in Kerckhoff
417. You want to voice your opinion on some issues? Then
come and share them at the meeting.
It’s also funny how these individuals refer to USAC not
addressing problems such as housing, its related expenses,
availability and/or the parking situation at UCLA. If you were
informed correctly, then you would know that USAC is and has indeed
been working on these matters.
Sure, the council members this year have different issues and
agendas they want to attack. As Student Welfare Commissioner,
I preferentially look into issues pertaining to student health and
safety and community service. But one thing’s for sure
this year, it is the goal of each council member to work
cooperatively to enhance one another’s resources and
programs.
Sure, I have different views and opinions compared to my USAC
colleagues. I didn’t run on a slate but rather as an
independent. But even though I wasn’t on a slate, I’ve
felt nothing but positiveness during our meetings. I guess
it’s because everyone on council acknowledges the fact that
USAC can do so much for the community if it chooses to.
So when you think about how USAC is and has been ineffective,
remember that without USAC, programs like UCLA Children’s
Walk, Campus Events Movies and Noontime Bands, Blood Drives, Roll
AIDS, Culture Nights, Project Set, Project Literary, Project BRITE,
Special Olympics, UCLA Jazz/Reggae, UCLA Dance Marathon, Best
Buddies, Bruin Partners, the Diversity Requirement and the Book
Lending Program ““ wouldn’t be able to run.