Candidates to expand programs

Menaka Fernando
Published: Wednesday, April 30, 2003

The candidates running for the undergraduate student government’s Cultural Affairs commissioner in next week’s elections said they would continue many of the office’s current programs while working to expand cultural programming on campus.

Experience in programming is imperative for the position, said current Cultural Affairs Commissioner Robbie Clark.

The three candidates are Wendy Flores, Marcello Robinson and Kelly Wynn.

The main tasks of the Undergraduate Students Association Council office are to manage event programming and provide resources for events, Clark said. The commission is responsible for putting on a variety of cultural events like the JazzReggae Festival, art exhibitions and film festivals.

All candidates hoping to replace Clark said they have obtained programming experience through involvement in various student groups and activities.

Second-year sociology student Flores said her experience in the Latin American Student Association, Hermanas Unidas and her role as a mentor will help her achieve her goals.

“I would like to represent more student organizations to bring students together,” Flores said. She said she would do this by adding more multi-cultural events such as art displays and concerts to the list of campus events.

Though Flores, an independent candidate, said she does not have any previous experience in USAC, she said she loves challenges and is willing to learn.

“My main goal is to have an established communication with everybody and see everybody’s perspectives – that is an important quality in a leader,” Flores said.

Another candidate, Robinson, a third-year theater student from the Students United for Reform and Equality slate, also said he would be a good leader because of the experience he has had.

Because of his involvement in the NAACP chapter at UCLA, the Student Alumni Association and the Interfraternity Council, Robinson said he is qualified for the position. Robinson also said he has had direct experience in USAC as the council secretary his first year.

If elected, Robinson said he would work to better represent the numerous culture groups on campus.

“We have 100 plus culture groups on campus but only about four or five groups are represented by (the current office). My goal is to represent more groups,” Robinson said.

Robinson said that he plans to set up an art gallery, to invite notable speakers to campus, and to bring back Mardi Gras. He added that the programs should be entertaining as well as educational.

The final candidate, Wynn, a fourth-year American literature, French and African American studies student, also said she would work to expand the office. Wynn is a member of the Students First! slate.

“I want to continue the positive trend (the commission) is on currently, but expand it by moving some programs to the Hill,” said Wynn, who is the current chief of staff of the commission. “I would like to connect all students to the office by providing space to express creativity.”

A program she said she wants to add is a student pallet showcase where students can audition for concert series that are put on by the commission. Wynn is a member of the student fee advisory committee, director for the Black Pre-Law Society and has held leadership positions in the dorms.

A fourth candidate, Andrew Reinicke, was deemed ineligible to run by the USAC Elections Board due to his absence from a candidate orientation meeting this past week.

The two candidates with slate affiliations said they would feel more accountable to students and not their slates.

“Once elections are over with, slates are out the window,” Robinson said, adding that he joined S.U.R.E. because it was difficult for an independent candidate to get elected.

But Wynn said First! is more than a slate name, it is a lifestyle that promotes accountability to students.