Published 04/21/2026
Los Angeles, CA – At the April 21st meeting of the USG Senate, the Senate heard the State of USG Address by President Bautista, communicated financial business with the Joint Assembly for Military-Associated Students through Open Forum, addressed SB 145-24 regarding the 2026–2027 fiscal budget, heard final presentations from Chief Communications Officer Chang, Chief Programming Officer Ali Edmonds, Chair Kim, Senator Foruzanfar, Senator Kilani, Senator Salek, Senator Valdez and introduced SB 145-25: A Resolution to Increase Student Representation in the Planning and Implementation of University Cultural Heritage Celebrations.
President Bautista gave her final State of USG Address, reflecting on the accomplishments and challenges of her term and expressing gratitude to the members of the Senate, executive team, and broader student body. She highlighted key initiatives completed during her administration and emphasized the importance of continuity in student leadership. In her remarks, she also shared appreciation for her Vice President, Emma Fallon, recognizing her partnership and contributions throughout the term. Bautista noted that their collaboration was instrumental in advancing their goals and fostering a strong, student-focused administration.
During the time of Open Forum, the Joint Assembly for Military-Associated Students expressed concerns in regard to the budget allocation process and their inability to present to the allocations committee. During unfinished business, senators voted to table the bill SB 145-24 after senators continued to discuss their concerns regarding JAMS.
Chief Communications Officer Emily Chang delivered her final presentation, providing a comprehensive recap of the USG website, outlining ongoing long-term projects, and highlighting key achievements from her term. Chief Programming Officer Ali Edmonds presented a year-in-review of USG programming, reflecting on major events, growth in student engagement, and the development of initiatives carried out over the course of her term.
Chair Kim provided updates from the Wellness Committee, while Senator Foruzanfar discussed Academic Affairs initiatives including the grade visibility project on Brightspace, Senator Kilani shared efforts to introduce nutrition facts in the Tutor Campus Center, Senator Salek highlighted progress on his Village Wi-Fi initiative, and Senator Valdez presented updates on the Capitol Advocacy Program and improvements to Dornsife advising, alongside their broader ongoing projects.
The Senate passed SB 145-25: A Resolution to Increase Student Representation in the Planning and Implementation of University Cultural Heritage Celebrations, authored by Chief Diversity Officer Yasmeen ElFarra and supported by members of USG and cultural student assemblies. The resolution responds to concerns about diminished student involvement in University Cultural Heritage Celebrations during the 2025–2026 academic year and advocates for a more collaborative approach moving forward. It emphasizes the importance of centering student voices in both the planning and execution of these events to ensure they reflect the lived experiences of the communities they represent and contribute to a stronger sense of belonging on campus.
SB 145-25 passed by a 12-0 vote.
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.
Upcoming USG Events
- Raffle First Gen Grad – Friday, May 1st (6 PM @ Caruso Catholic Center)
- MENASA Habibi’s House Ticket Giveaway – Friday, May 1st (Shrine Expo Hall)