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About UC Los Angeles
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Los Angeles: Student GovernmentThe original proposal for a general agency of student government was made by Ernest C. Moore, director of the campus, soon after UCLA's establishment. In 1919, a student committee of 12 was appointed to inaugurate a system of self-government. The committee decided that an executive council of 13 would be elected at large, the elected members then deciding among themselves who should hold the offices. This was criticized at assemblies where the constitution was being discussed and adopted and was revised in favor of direct election not only to the council, but major offices as well. An election was held, officers were installed, a constitution was adopted, and the life of the Associated Students ASUCLA began on December 5, 1919. Through the 1960s, there was continuing concern with costs and financial controls, but the subject of the honor system was before the council more times than any other single matter since 1919. As early as 1921, there was a suggestion that the rapid growth of the University and the effect of World War I made such a system inappropriate. The system prevailed, though it was under review again in 1965. The constitution has been revised many times since 1919, but the general character of the ASUCLA remained unchanged until spring of 1965. At that time students voted to abolish the class form of government in favor of a commissioner-type government in order to conform to the quarter system which would go into effect in the fall of 1966. Under the new system the student government had a president, two vice-presidents, three representatives at large, and six commissioners to head commissions, each responsible for a particular phase of campus activities and of student government and its operation. All had a vote in the council, in addition to the votes of the National Student Association representative and representatives from the alumni, faculty and administration. The ASUCLA executive director was an ex-officio member without a vote. Management of the fiscal affairs of the association remained of dominant interest. Student committees controlled or directly influenced the boards which handled the $3 million per year operation of the Associated Students. Educational policy and student housing were also of vital interest to a student government concerned with the welfare of the student in the broadest sense. Student Body Presidents to 1966
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