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By George Fujii

Daily Bruin Staff

While Elizabeth Houston always wanted to be a UCLA student, she said she never expected to be the next Undergraduate Students Association Council president.

At 7 p.m. today, she and the entire council will be installed and formally take over their offices in a ceremony in the Charles E. Young Grand Salon.

“I’ve wanted to go to UCLA since I was 6,” Houston said. “I didn’t apply anywhere else (after two years at Pierce College); thank God I got in.”

Houston, a third-year political science transfer student, first became involved in student politics at Pierce College, as one of more than 20 student senators.

“It was a really great experience,” Houston said. “I got to go to Washington, D.C. and learn how to be a more effective student government officer.”

Although this is her first year at UCLA, Houston said her service on Pierce College’s student senate gave her the necessary experience to head USAC.

“I don't consider myself a first-year student,” Houston said. “What I really thought needed to change with USAC was its direction and focus.”

Since senators represent their departments and are appointed by the administration, Pierce College’s student senate has a different focus than USAC, Houston said.

“The senate there is very much focused on campus issues and I guess the appointment process works well for that.”

Houston said her upbringing has affected how she views others. Her Christian upbringing taught her the importance of serving others, she said.

“I was raised in a household which believes that everyone’s viewpoint is valid,” Houston said. “A leader gains honor and respect when they serve their constituents.”

Although born in Florida, Houston was raised in the San Fernando Valley. Her father is a pastor at a nondenominational Christian church and her mother runs an advertising company out of the home. She describes their relationship as close.

“My mom is my best friend,” Houston said. “My parents have been an inspiration and an encouragement to me to follow through my dreams.”

Both of Houston’s parents are from Tennessee. One of her father’s ancestors is Sam Houston, the first president of the Republic of Texas. Her mother’s ancestors came westward with Daniel Boone.

Her background became a point of contention during the election campaign.

“I know people have said Sam Houston is a racist, but the past is the past, and it doesn’t affect me,” Houston said.

Houston also has a younger brother and a younger sister. They and her parents campaigned for Houston during the recent USAC elections, with her parents using their vacation time.

“My sister is my other best friend,” Houston said. “Even though we’re three years apart, people say we’re exactly alike.”

She has participated in a number of activities outside of student politics. One such activity is speaking for the “Sex, Love, and Choices” program, sponsored by Women in Network.

In a similar effort, Houston spoke to youth about making their own decisions in a trip with her father to Jakarta, Indonesia and Riga, Latvia.

Houston was a member of the Alpha Gamma Sigma honors society at Pierce College. At UCLA, she was director of women’s issues for the Student Welfare Commission this year and is a member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority.

Steve Davey, this year and next year’s facilities commissioner, praised Houston’s leadership skills.

“I’m ecstatic and very enthusiastic about the year ahead and I think that she will do very well,” Davey said. “She’s capable; she’s competent; she’s going to do well.”

Houston said she was optimistic about the prospects for the new council.

“I think the council has great potential for success;,” Houston said. “We can get a lot done because we come from different backgrounds and represent different parts of campus.”

Out of its 13 positions, next year’s council will have a majority of eight members from the Praxis slate, which with its predecessor Students First! held the presidency the last five years.

Fannie Huang, the incoming Community Service Commissioner and an independent candidate, said no one can predict how well council members will work with each other.

“I think council will be interesting next year; I’m not sure what’s going to happen,” Huang said. “There’s been a lot of drama already; I will look forward to the events as they will be unfolding.”

The council can move beyond election rhetoric, Houston said.

“There are going to be problems, but that’s natural,” Houston said. “But I don’t expect this constant hostility; these are reasonable people and I think we have the potential for a great year.”

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