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Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker Pro Tempore, Members of the 2007-2008 USG Senate, respected administrators and our USC general student body:
In the spring of 2007, I assumed the office of the President of the Undergraduate Student Government. Max Slavkin, the Vice President and I pledged to “Be the Change” and we created an ambitious agenda that we believed would dramatically impact student life USC. we brought on dedicated individuals to fill the ranks of our Executive, Program Board and Judicial branch and as we were introduced to the Senate, Max and I found that our passion and our commitment to serving USC could be found in other students who were both willing and capable of making USG one of the most powerful forces for change on campus. Having accomplished the majority of our platform objectives and having seen the execution of numerous innovative advocacy and programming initiatives, I say with confidence and pride that our student body is more empowered to take control of our own University experience than ever before. “Be the Change”, our campaign slogan and promise to the student body, has now materialized into real change for students at home, on campus and in our community.
At home USG has made President Sample’s vision of a residential campus a priority. A campus experience that is a community and not just a place to go to class. A large portion of our student body lives just beyond the walls of the University in non-University owned housing; however, they have very little resources to aid them in their housing experience. USG’s free legal counseling service has been the only resource for some students but the gravity of the complaints has shown that much greater resources are needed. In the fall, the USG Senate passed resolution 09250701 which called for the Executive branch to actively pursue the creation of a University office to provide educational resources, legal resources, a tenants bill of rights and website of non-University owned housing. Having listened to the student voice, Dr. Michael Jackson, Vice President of Student Affairs, authorized the creation of a committee to explore the possibility of such a center being created.
In addition, USG recognized that housing is more than just a place to live. Keeping in mind that housing is essential to a community, USG has made a commitment to keep the row Greek and the efforts of our Greek Senators have facilitated Greek tenants occupying housing on the row.
Protecting the off campus community, USG has focused on improvements to city infrastructure to better the lives of students. To students living near or on the row, Hoover and 29th has posed a major threat to student safety. After a resolution passed by the Senate and numerous meetings with city officials and conducting research, USG Senators and Directors have received a letter stating that the city has determined a crosswalk is necessary at the intersection.
Transportation is also integral to the residential experience. USG has worked to improve transportation services advocating for an increase in tram routes and a more efficient campus cruiser system that would bridge the gap between the on campus and off campus experience.
Health services that cater to student needs is also necessary for a sense of home. For this reason, USC students are represented by USG on the Student Health Advisory Committee guiding the creation of the new Student Health Center.
Many students come to USC from communities not adequately represented in the USC student body. Through the cultural based Assemblies in Program Board such as LSA, BSA, GLBTA, APASA, and ISA students have programmed events that share and celebrate culture with all USC students. The increased emphasis on weekend programming has also promoted the residential campus with events such as the DKA weekly movie series, a performance by the L.A. Opera and big names for concerts like rapper Talib Kweli, and USG Program Board’s collaboration with Campus Activities for Homecoming and Conquest.
And USC just wouldn’t feel like home without Trojan football at the Coliseum. In an effort to support University negotiations, USG officials spoke at the Coliseum Commission hearing and the USG Senate passed Resolution 12040703 calling for a boycott of Coliseum Concessions letting the USC student voice be heard and strengthening the bonds of the Trojan family.
On campus the Undergraduate Student Government has focused its efforts on bettering campus services, facitilites and avenues of participation.
The Lyon Center is an important campus service for USC students. Last semester USG partnered with Student Affairs to extend Lyon Center hours until midnight. USG also supported the creation of the auxiliary gym and continues to push for increases in space and equipment.
An essential service the University provides is excellent academics. While the USC academic infrastructure may be difficult to navigate, USG produced over 2,000 Academic Resource cards to consolidate academic information at USC. In addition, USG is revamping the former Senate Course Guide, now USG Course Guide to improve the quality of information for both professors and students.
From events like beyond books and PSA’s “Food for Political Thought series” to events with Sarah Weddington and Natalie Portman, USG’s Program Board has brought academics to life with opportunities for students to enhance their educational experience.
Increased student participation has led to better campus services. But students cannot participate unless they are informed of ways to get involved. Our university has long seen segments of our campus community disenfranchised simply because of a lack of information. It is for this reason that last fall I announced the President’s Diversity initiative, marshalling the resources of USG to encourage all students of all races, ethnicities, religions and other identities to run for USG political office. During the election we will focus on increasing information to all people on campus in hopes that increased participation of all students will lead to a USG more representative of our diverse student body.
Students should also be able to participate in the use of their student programming fee. Unfortunately, USG’s funding policies have at times been difficult to utilize for the general student body. However, this year the USG Treasury made the bold move to consolidate the funding boards and move towards a common funding system promoting transparency and accessibility. In addition, USG created the Capitol Group to offer no interest loans to student organizations with innovative business models to build income for their organization.
Another major priority for USG has been leading effort to strengthen ties between our USC students and the community. In an effort to develop youth leadership, USG has started a mentoring program called the “Gertz Ressler Leadership Program” where USC students mentor students at Gertz Ressler Academy High, a local high school, twice a week.
USG’s desire to make change in the community extends beyond our local community into national and international issues as evidenced by our participation in Aids Walk and Relay for Life. A testament to USG’s commitment to the greater community is our focus on sustainability. Following USC’s receipt of a “D” for Sustainability by the Sustainable Endowment Institute, Vice President Max Slavkin coordinated the efforts of environmentally focused student organizations into the Student for a Sustainable SC Task Force. The advocacy efforts of the Task force led to the creation of the University Sustainability Operations Task Force. In an unprecedented collaberation of students, staff and faculty, the Task Force was instrumental in the creation of USC’s Comprehensive Report on Sustainability. From upper level policy to recycling in the dorms and on the row, USG members and student organizations have made tangible changes that will benefit us all.
I applaud the efforts of the members of USG for making such a tremendous contribution to our University in a semester. But all of our progress would not be possible without the support and partnership of a number of administrators many of them seated here today. I want to in particular thank Dr. Jackson, Dr. Denzil Suite, Mr. Patrick Bailey and Dr. Heather Larabee for your steadfast parternship. I also want to recognize Chief Drayton, Mr. Scott Mory and Auxiliary Services for making it a point to incorporate the student voice in your decisions.
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world." This quote by Mahatma Gandhi inspired our own campaign for change. And while we may not be leading a non-violent revolution for independence, we can know that the idealism he spoke of can be a reality.
In the beginning of my address, I noted that the state of the student body is empowered. And I say empowered because USG has opened the halls of Bovard but it Is the student body that must walk through them. Without activism and participation from the student body our movement for change cannot thrive. It Is each and every one of us that must make our ideals a reality, and this semester we have shown that we can. So I reaffirm to you all my commitment from USG that we will be ever active to be active, to make the difference and to serve our student body; I only ask that you rise to our times, do the same and " Be the Change."
Sahil Chaudry
2007-2008 USG President
Hello and welcome to the official website of the Undergraduate Student Government of the University of Southern California!
Our role is to represent the voice of the undergraduates of USC to the administration, faculty, and the community in which we live. As an organization we:
- Advocate on behalf of students
- Program campus-wide events through the USG Program Board
- Provide valuable leadership positions
- Grant funding to student organizations through the Funding Boards
We invite you to learn more about who we are and what we do for you as a student and for other organizations on campus. New features of our web site will include:
- Ask-the-President
- Discussion Boards
- Opinion Polls
- Petition signing
- Reports and minutes archives
- Town Hall Web Center
Sahil Chaudry & Max Slavkin
2007-1008 USG President and Vice President
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