Senate Approves SB144-09
Los Angeles, CA – Yesterday, at the October 1st meeting of the USG Senate, the Senate passed SB144-09: To Recognize Disability Awareness Month and Promote Belonging for Trojans with Disabilities.
Written by Accessibility Committee Chair Izzy Del Gaudio, Senator Jackalyn Karamanougian, and Senator Brandon Tavakoli, SB144-09 will:
- Designate the USG Senate to formally recognize October as Disability Awareness Month this year and in future years;
- Encourage the USC community to participate in events, initiatives, and programs that promote awareness, inclusion, and respect for individuals with disabilities;
- Serve as a call to improve accessibility across campus;
- Urge student organizations to incorporate disability awareness and accessibility initiatives into their programming throughout the academic year;
- Motivate President Folt to issue a formal supportive statement during Disability Awareness Month;
- And call on the university to reserve the Allyson Felix Field electronic for displaying a student-created graphic commemorating Disability Awareness Month each October.
The 144th class of the USG Senate voted overwhelmingly in favor of SB144-09, passing it with a vote of 12-0. The bill will now be delivered to President Bryan Fernandez Gonzalez for his signature. Whereafter, if signed, it will be delivered to members of the USC Administration.
Senator Karamanougian stated, “By passing this resolution, we are not only recognizing Disability Awareness Month as an annual tradition but also making a clear commitment to ALL of our students that we truly value them. It is a long overdue and important step toward making USC a place where all students, regardless of ability, can feel they belong.”
“This resolution serves not only as an institutional step forward but as a celebration of our students with invisible and visible disabilities,” shared Chairperson Del Gaudio. “We want every student to know they are valued, their presence matters and their journey is important. Every step we took in drafting this resolution, we had you in mind.”
Rachel Miller, the Student Accessibility Assembly Advocacy Liaison, said, “The bill means so much to me, especially since it will help raise awareness for folks with disabilities. This can help start conversations regarding inclusivity and how we can best create those spaces. I hope this can provide encouragement and support that disabled voices matter and our unique perspectives are important.”
The October 1st Senate meeting also featured the inauguration of Senators Ali Bhatti and John Breitfelder, who were elected in a Special Election in September. Senator Seva Raman shared updates on current projects, particularly pertaining to the CET Advisory Board and Academic Inclusion Council.
The USG Senate meets every Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in TCC 450 (Tutor Forum). Every Senate meeting has an open forum. This is a space for any person to express ideas and/or concerns to the Senate in a verbal manner.