UCLA Cultural Affairs Commission: Fostering Culture, Dialogue, and Engagement
The Cultural Affairs Commission (CAC) at UCLA is a pivotal component of the Undergraduate Students Association Council (USAC), dedicated to enriching the campus experience through diverse and engaging programming. As one of the thirteen USAC offices, the CAC strives to create accessible, high-quality events with cultural, political, or social relevance for all students.
Mission and Focus
The Cultural Affairs Commission is focused on “edutainment” (education + entertainment), arts activism, and student-run programs that ignite dialogue regarding current events, facilitate an exhibition of creativity, and promote cultural opportunities on campus. The commission's mission is to put on quality programming with cultural, political, or social relevance that are accessible to all students.
Leadership Transition
Recently, USAC unanimously appointed Kyland Talbott, a fourth-year African American studies student, to the position of Cultural Affairs Commissioner. Talbott succeeds Alicia Verdugo, who resigned from the position in February. Bella Brannon, who filed a complaint against Verdugo, expressed hope for Talbott's future in office, noting his passion for the role and strong work ethic. According to USAC President Adam Tfayli, Talbott was selected from a pool of more than 10 applicants. During a USAC meeting, Talbott expressed his commitment to supporting underrepresented communities on campus and his enthusiasm for planning the commission's 60th anniversary and annual JazzReggae Festival.
Opportunities for Student Involvement
UCLA offers numerous committees for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students to engage in university-wide efforts. These committees provide students with opportunities to influence various aspects of campus life. Here is a glimpse into some of the committees open to all students:
- ASUCLA Communications Board: As fiduciaries of the UCLA Student Media enterprise, board members set policies, approve yearly budgets, and appoint editors-in-chief/general managers for ten publications.
- UCLA Sustainability Committee: The committee aims to cultivate a culture of sustainability at UCLA by promoting awareness, engagement, and commitment to sustainability through education, research, operations, and community partnerships.
- College Faculty Executive Committee: Elected by the faculty, the FEC oversees academic programs, reviews curricular requirements, proposes changes to regulations, and advises on the allocation of educational resources.
- The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF): TGIF empowers students to lead in sustainability by providing funding for projects that advance UCLA's sustainability mission.
- ASUCLA Board of Directors: Appointees attend orientations, monthly committee meetings, and board meetings to provide innovative services, programs, products, and facilities for the UCLA community.
- Student Health Advisory Committee: SHAC acts as a liaison between students and The Ashe Center and other administrative bodies to ensure high-quality, efficient, and cost-effective healthcare and mental welfare services for UCLA students.
- Community Activities Committee (CAC): CAC Representatives oversee referendum funding that supports ongoing community service efforts conducted by UCLA registered student organizations for off-campus programming.
- Campus Programs Committee (CPC): CPC Representatives oversee a student services/referendum funding that supports cultural or educational programming conducted by UCLA registered student organization on the UCLA campus.
- Committee on Academic Freedom: The Academic Freedom Committee studies and reports to the Division concerning any conditions within or without the University which, in its judgment, may affect the academic freedom.
- Academic Program Review Committee: The Academic Program Review Committee (APRC) is charged with conducting all aspects of the Academic Program Review process, as outlined in Appendix XVI.
- Committee on Data, Information Technology and Privacy: The Committee on Data, Information Technology, and Privacy (CDITP) represents the UCLA Academic Senate on all matters relating to the acquisition, deployment, and usage of communication and information technology, intellectual property, privacy, and data technology.
- Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: The primary mission of the Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is to provide advice to the University Administration on policies/programs to advance faculty diversity, including the recruitment and retention of women and underrepresented minorities.
- Academic Senate- Executive Board: The Executive Board coordinates and reviews actions and proposals from Senate committees and administration.
- Faculty Welfare Committee: The principal charge of the Faculty Welfare Committee is to advise the Division and confer with administrative agencies on all matters involving the economic welfare of the faculty, including but not limited to the level of salaries, salary determination methodology, benefits, insurance, retirement, housing and conditions of employment.
- Committee on International Education: The principal charge of the Committee on International Education (CIE) is to represent the Los Angeles Division in matters concerned with International Education.
- Legislative Assembly: The Legislative Assembly is empowered to act in all matters for the Los Angeles Division though subject to provisions of Divisional bylaws.
- Committee on Library and Scholarly Communication: The Committee on Library and Scholarly Communication (COLASC) takes, as its principal obligation, to reflect and articulate the views of UCLA faculty members concerning the role of the University Library in the acquisition, storage, and provision of scholarly materials.
- Council on Planning & Budget: CPB's charge is to make recommendations based on established Senate policy to the Chancellor and Senate agencies concerning the allocation of educational resources, academic priorities, and the planning and budgetary process as well as formulating a Senate view on the campus budget and each major campus space-use and building project.
- Council on Research: It is the responsibility of the Council on Research (COR) to consult regularly with the Vice Chancellor for Research and with the various Directors within the research administration as required, to advise on issues pertinent to the faculty research mission.
- John Wooden Center Board of Governors: The John Wooden Center Board of Governors is a student-majority committee involved in decisions regarding the design, use, policy and operational issues of the John Wooden Center.
- Drug Free Schools Committee: The Drug-Free Schools Committee meets at least twice during the academic year with other campus representatives to share resources related to UCLA’s response to alcohol and other drug use, including campus programming, residential life initiatives, student training opportunities, and other support resources.
- Academic Technology Committee: The campus IT governance process is an integrated approach to developing and implementing campus-wide technological strategy, policy, and solutions that advance the university’s mission of teaching, research, and public service.
- Transportation Services Advisory Board: The Transportation Service Advisory Board provides input to the Administrative Vice Chancellor on transportation related matters.
- Student Fee Advisory Committee: The Student Fee Advisory Committee (SFAC) is a student-majority committee that advises the Chancellor on the allocation of campus-based student services fees and other student fee issues.
The Enormous Activities Fair (EAF)
The UCLA Enormous Activities Fair (EAF) is an annual event hosted by the Undergraduate Students Association Council’s Campus Events Commission and Cultural Affairs Commissions, where hundreds of UCLA clubs and organizations showcase their activities and recruit new students. The EAF is an integral part of True Bruin Welcome Week, which supports new students in their transition to UCLA. In addition to the UCLA EAF, Bruins can also attend the UCLA Westwood Block Party, Bruin Bash, Transferpalooza and more. Of all UCLA students, 73 percent at UCLA participate in UCLA clubs organizations, according to UCLA undergraduate admissions. Students interested in starting new UCLA clubs and organizations need three signatories, a constitution and attendance at a New Signatory Workshop.
Read also: UCLA vs. Illinois: Basketball History
Controversy and Allegations of Discrimination
The Cultural Affairs Commission has faced controversy regarding allegations of anti-Jewish bias in its hiring process. A complaint filed with the Undergraduate Students Association Council (USAC) Judicial Board alleged that the head of the Cultural Affairs Commission told staffers not to hire Jewish applicants. The complaint stated that applicants were being rejected after having identified themselves as Jews unrelated to anything regarding Israel or the war in Gaza. According to Ha’am, “every student who indicated their Jewish identity in their applications for Cultural Affairs Commissioner (CAC) staff was rejected.” A CAC hiring document allegedly stated: “We reserve the right to remove any staff member who dispels antiBlackness, colorism, racism, white supremacy, zionism, xenophobia, homophobia, transphobia, sexism, misogyny, ableism, and any/all other hateful/bigoted ideologies.”
Read also: Navigating Tech Breadth at UCLA
Read also: Understanding UCLA Counselors
tags: #UCLA #Cultural #Affairs #Commission #overview
