Legislative Branch

Who We Are

The Legislative Branch of USG is the representative and decision-making body for undergraduate students, charged with staying in close contact with key administrators and students about important issues. This branch consists of Speaker of the Senate, 12 senators, 6 Standing Committees, and the advocacy liaisons. Their work is supported by the Parliamentary Secretary, Legislative Aides, and Senate Aides. Together, they represent the interests of undergraduate students and create solutions to problems that represent a middle ground between students, staff, faculty, and the community.

Our Leaders

Michelle Lu

Vice President

Emilia Bletsas

Speaker of the Senate

Kaleb Stephens

Chief Diversity Officer

How to Join Us

Come to a Senate meeting! We meet every Tuesday at 7pm in TCC 450.

 Come to one of our six committee meetings: Academic Affairs, Accessibility, Affordability & Basic Needs, External Affairs, Sustainability & Campus Infrastructures, and Wellness Affairs

Legislative Branch Project Tracker

See 2023-24 Legislative projects and latest work!

CommitteeProject TitleDescriptionLast StepStatusProject Lead(s)Email AddressTeam MembersLast Updated
SenateTransparency on USC Financial Aid Wait Time for Phone CallsAn edit to the voicemail system of the USC office of financial aid, which implements a call back system so students do not have to wait on hold for extremely long periods of time. Finished survey to be shared with students. Drafted email to send to IT inquiring about call-back systems at the University.In ProgressSenator Velazquezandreav6@usc.eduBrianna Sanchez9/13/23
WellnessNaloxone Access ExpansionOpioid overdose is on the rise, especially among college students. As of now, naloxone education is limited since students need to approach programs in order to learn how to administer naloxone. Met with Student Health Team (Dr. Van Ormen, Minne Ho, Broderick Leaks) to gauge interest and they were highly supportive. In ProgressBrianna Sanchezbasanche@usc.eduWellness Committee8/22/23
Legislative Laundry StipendWhile current USC housing students have $25 allocated to their accounts for printing services, many have expressed they could better maximize those funds on laundry services. This project would encourage flexibility for USC housing students to use these funds for printing, laundry, or split between both. Emails sent to Housing, ResEd, and any other stakeholders & google forms sent to advocacy liaisons to gather data from students In ProgressAneri Narayan & Diana Carpiodcarpio@usc.edu, arnaraya@usc.eduPatrick Nguyen, Yasmeen EIFarra, Lydia Constantian9/13/23
AccessibilityTherapy ExpansionWe want to make the therapy process easier, whether that involves extending the current number of free sessions from 5 to 8-10, reducing the wait time/creating more available appointments, or ideally partnering with a third party provider (ex. Lyra) for additional sessions.research on USC therapy optionsIn ProgressKarina Patel, AnnaOlivia Schwedtkmpatel@usc.edu9/3/2023
AccessibilityOSAS RoundtableIn order to better devise solutions for differently abled students at USC, we want to create a forum in which students express their concerns and are able to connect with staff to make a difference. We want to provide a safe outlet for students to meet OSAS administrators, get questions answered, and advocate for pressing change. contacted OSAS staffIn ProgressJulianna Melendezjjmelend@usc.eduKarina Patel, AnnaOlivia Schwedt9/3/2023
AccessibilitySharps DisposalFor students with diabetes or other health conditions, they have no proper destination to dispose of needles or other sharps, causing an increased hazard to them and others. We want to implement separate sharps disposal containers into on-campus bathrooms in class buildings and residential hall communal bathrooms. contacted HAZMAT directorIn ProgressKarina Patel, AnnaOlivia Schwedtkmpatel@usc.edu9/3/2023
Academic Affairs ofCourse Support ofCourse is a student run organization currently building their own web registration interface that includes ability to upload past syllabuses for classes you have taken, leaving peer reviews (that are verified and align with interface guidelines), and a seat check which alerts a student to open seats in a class they would like to attend that is currently full.Thus far ofCourse has built the bones of the interface and continues to work on the programming weekly. I have met with both the President and the Treasure to discuss their monetary needs and goals for funding.In ProgressKate Ariathuraikariathu@usc.eduKate Ariathurai, Senator Zober, Senator Speier9/5/23
WellnessWelcome Back Wellness FairThis fair, similar to Wellness Day, will be on Sep 19, 2023 and consist of wellness-based RSOs to table. Here, they will talk about their mission and what they offer for students.Finished all TES paperwork and approvals, USC Hillel is providing chairs, tables, and tents. In ProgressBrianna Sanchezbasanche@usc.eduRudra Saigal, Emilia Bletsas, Wellness Committee 9/5/23
WellnessStudent Health Fee (SHF) PromotionWorking to create materials that demonstrate what the Student Health Fee provides and social media promotion of these resources can expose these benefits to the greater student body. The Student Health team was able to create reusable flyers for USG events that show the benefits of the Student Health Fee. Mustafa and Brianna filmed a Q&A style video that will be posted Sep 5, 2023 that will promote Student Health tabling at the Farmer’s Market.CompletedBrianna Sanchezbasanche@usc.eduMustafa Ali Khan, Emilia Bletsas, Rudra Saigal 9/5/23
WellnessWellness Week Wellness Week is a week-long event that will be held February 12th-16th in partnership with Student Health. Wellness-related RSOs and assemblies will table and/or lead workshops/sessions on topics such as mindfulness, fitness, stress management, etc.Met with Student Health Reps. and they expressed support for the event. In ProgressBrianna Sanchezbasanche@usc.eduRudra Saigal, Emilia Bletsas, Wellness Committee 9/5/23
NASATongva Land History TrojanLearn ModuleThis project will create a module on TrojanLearn that Freshmen will need to take during their first semester, similar to the Sexual Assault Prevention module that is necessary to be taken first semester.Discussed project idea with NASA E-Board as well as the CDO in order to find people to reach out to. In ProgressZidane Zamoranozzamoran@usc.edu9/12
QuASAQueer Resources Visibility ImprovementImprove accessibility to queer resources by, firstly, establishing and promoting the Queer Advocacy Committee within QuASA to get more students involved in queer advocacy, and possibly working with the LGBTQ+ Student Center to reach a greater audience.In ProgressIsabel Jasper, Hulbert Dangijasper@usc.edu9/18/23
QuASAGender Inclusive Housing ImprovementUse student input and increase involvement to improve the university’s approach to offering gender-inclusive housing options, which would entail improving visibility of these options to students applying to housing, improvement of roommate questionnaires, and possible expansion of gender-inclusive housing.Formulation of a survey, research conducted about current status and plans for gender-inclusive housing in administration.In ProgressIsabel Jasper, Hulbert Dangijasper@usc.edu9/18/23
LSASouth LA x Village This project will advocate for a community organization/restaurant like South LA Cafe to have a space in the village. The implementation of a community organization could be the first step to having a proper, accessible space for South Central residents and low-income students. Met with Vincent Cisneros on Tuesday 9/12 and discussed prior confusion over requirements to become a vendor at the village. In ProgressKiana Amaya, Vincent Cisneros vrcisner@usc.edu, kamaya@usc.eduExternal Affairs Committee 9/18/23
CommitteeProject TitleDescriptionLast StepStatusProject Lead(s)Email AddressTeam MembersLast Updated
SenateTransparency on USC Financial Aid Wait Time for Phone CallsAn edit to the voicemail system of the USC office of financial aid, which implements a call back system so students do not have to wait on hold for extremely long periods of time. Contacted IT for information. Sent survey to GSG to distribute with their students, helping us see if this problem affects them as well. In ProgressSenator Velazquezandreav6@usc.eduBrianna Sanchez9/22/23
Legislative Laundry StipendWhile current USC housing students have $25 allocated to their accounts for printing services, many have expressed they could better maximize those funds on laundry services. This project would encourage flexibility for USC housing students to use these funds for printing, laundry, or split between both. Emails sent to Housing, ResEd, and any other stakeholders & google forms sent to advocacy liaisons to gather data from students In ProgressAneri Narayan & Diana Carpiodcarpio@usc.edu, arnaraya@usc.eduPatrick Nguyen, Yasmeen EIFarra, Lydia Constantian9/13/23
SenateStudent Art on CampusI would like to incorporate more student art across campus. As a starter project, University Religious and Spiritual Affairs would like to have a mural in their new RestSC space, and I would like to recruit student artists to help design and paint the space. For future projects, I'd like to implement a similar model to have student artists create artwork for common spaces across campus (i.e. libraries) that can be hung up/put up and taken down every few months.Traded email correspondence with Josh Kun, who is running the initiative to curate more student art on campus - in the process of becoming a student rep on the projectIn ProgressHalle Schafferhmschaff@usc.eduDivya Jakatdar9/6/2023
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Category (write Committee Name)Project TitleDescriptionLast StepStatusProject Lead(s)Email AddressTeam MembersLast Updated
AccessibilityTherapy ExpansionWe want to make the therapy process easier, whether that involves extending the current number of free sessions from 5 to 8-10, reducing the wait time/creating more available appointments, or ideally partnering with a third party provider (ex. Lyra) for additional sessions.research on USC therapy optionsIn ProgressKarina Patel, AnnaOlivia Schwedtkmpatel@usc.eduArrianah Galvin, Sea Gira9/3/2023
AccessibilityOSAS RoundtableIn order to better devise solutions for differently abled students at USC, we want to create a forum in which students express their concerns and are able to connect with staff to make a difference. We want to provide a safe outlet for students to meet OSAS administrators, get questions answered, and advocate for pressing change. contacted OSAS staffIn ProgressJulianna Melendezjjmelend@usc.eduKarina Patel, AnnaOlivia Schwedt9/3/2023
AccessibilitySharps DisposalFor students with diabetes or other health conditions, they have no proper destination to dispose of needles or other sharps, causing an increased hazard to them and others. We want to implement separate sharps disposal containers into on-campus bathrooms in class buildings and residential hall communal bathrooms. contacted HAZMAT directorIn ProgressKarina Patel, AnnaOlivia Schwedtkmpatel@usc.eduAnnette Malan, Isabel Jasper9/3/2023
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Category (write Committee Name)Project TitleDescriptionLast StepStatusProject Lead(s)Email AddressTeam MembersLast Updated
Academic Affairs ofCourse Support ofCourse is a student run organization currently building their own web registration interface that includes ability to upload past syllabuses for classes you have taken, leaving peer reviews (that are verified and align with interface guidelines), and a seat check which alerts a student to open seats in a class they would like to attend that is currently full.Thus far ofCourse has built the bones of the interface and continues to work on the programming weekly. I have met with both the President and the Treasure to discuss their monetary needs and goals for funding.In ProgressKate Ariathuraikariathu@usc.eduKate Ariathurai, Senator Zober, Senator Speier9/5/23
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Category (write Committee Name)Project TitleDescriptionLast StepStatusProject Lead(s)Email AddressTeam MembersLast Updated
WellnessNaloxone Access ExpansionOpioid overdose is on the rise, especially among college students. As of now, naloxone education is limited since students need to approach programs in order to learn how to administer naloxone. Met with Student Health Team (Dr. Van Ormen, Minne Ho, Broderick Leaks) to gauge interest and they were highly supportive. In ProgressBrianna Sanchezbasanche@usc.eduWellness Committee9/19/23
WellnessWelcome Back Wellness FairThis fair, similar to Wellness Day, will be on Sep 19, 2023 and consist of wellness-based RSOs to table. Here, they will talk about their mission and what they offer for students.Had a successful event with 18 attending RSOs/USC Departments!CompletedBrianna Sanchezbasanche@usc.eduRudra Saigal, Emilia Bletsas, Wellness Committee 9/19/23
WellnessStudent Health Fee (SHF) PromotionWorking to create materials that demonstrate what the Student Health Fee provides and social media promotion of these resources can expose these benefits to the greater student body. The Student Health team was able to create reusable flyers for USG events that show the benefits of the Student Health Fee. Mustafa and Brianna filmed a Q&A style video that was posted on Sep 5, 2023 that promoted Student Health tabling at the Farmer’s Market.CompletedBrianna Sanchezbasanche@usc.eduMustafa Ali Khan, Emilia Bletsas, Rudra Saigal 9/6/23
WellnessWellness Week Wellness Week is a week-long event that will be held February 12th-16th in partnership with Student Health. Wellness-related RSOs and assemblies will table and/or lead workshops/sessions on topics such as mindfulness, fitness, stress management, etc.Met with Student Health Reps. and they expressed support for the event. In ProgressBrianna Sanchezbasanche@usc.eduRudra Saigal, Emilia Bletsas, Wellness Committee 9/19/23
WellnessMental Health CardsSimilar to Ideas red cards, we want to pass out portable cards with mental health resources for students to be able to carry with them, should they need them.Met with Senator Schaffer to discuss this idea and contacted Brianna SanchezNot StartedHalle Schaffer, Bella Padillapadillai@usc.edu, hmschaff@usc.edu9/6/23
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External AffairsLA Local Business DayUSG would invite local LA businesses to campus to sell food/other goods. The purpose of this would be to foster relationships between USC and the Greater LA area and to increase awareness of the different types of local businesses around the school. In the fall semester, I hope to have a soft launch of the event to pave the way for similar events in the future.Just created the project in collaboration with Trojans Shop Local, and am in the process of creating a budget for the event/finding funding. I'm also trying to see if we an engage our ALs to make sure we're engaging diverse South LA businesses.In ProgressHalle Schafferhmschaff@usc.eduExternal Affairs, Trojans Shop Local9/6/2023
External Affairs/PresUSC x Community Art DisplayNot Started
External AffairsDPS Narcan/NaxaloneNot Started
NANDC Not Started
Orientation Office CollaborationNot Started
MHARTNot Started
DPS Uniform ProjectNot Started
Village Community SpaceNot Started
Vendor List ExpansionNot Started
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Category (write Committee Name)Project TitleDescriptionLast StepStatusProject Lead(s)Email AddressTeam MembersLast Updated
NASATongva Land History TrojanLearn ModuleThis project will create a module on TrojanLearn that Freshmen will need to take during their first semester, similar to the Sexual Assault Prevention module that is necessary to be taken first semester.Discussed project idea with NASA E-Board as well as the CDO in order to find people to reach out to. In ProgressZidane Zamoranozzamoran@usc.edu9/12
QuASAQueer Resources Visibility ImprovementImprove accessibility to queer resources by, firstly, establishing and promoting the Queer Advocacy Committee within QuASA to get more students involved in queer advocacy, and possibly working with the LGBTQ+ Student Center to reach a greater audience.In ProgressIsabel Jasper, Hulbert Dangijasper@usc.edu9/18/23
QuASAGender Inclusive Housing ImprovementUse student input and increase involvement to improve the university’s approach to offering gender-inclusive housing options, which would entail improving visibility of these options to students applying to housing, improvement of roommate questionnaires, and possible expansion of gender-inclusive housing.Formulation of a survey, research conducted about current status and plans for gender-inclusive housing in administration.In ProgressIsabel Jasper, Hulbert Dangijasper@usc.edu9/18/23
LSASouth LA x Village This project will advocate for a community organization/restaurant like South LA Cafe to have a space in the village. The implementation of a community organization could be the first step to having a proper, accessible space for South Central residents and low-income students. Met with Vincent Cisneros on Tuesday 9/12 and discussed prior confusion over requirements to become a vendor at the village. In ProgressKiana Amaya, Vincent Cisneros vrcisner@usc.edu, kamaya@usc.eduExternal Affairs Committee 9/18/23
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