Constitutional Amendment
general faq
what is a constitutional amendment?
A constitutional amendment is a proposed alteration to the wording of the USA Constitution. A constitutional amendment is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is invited to vote on a particular proposal. There are three constitutional amendments on the ballot in the spring 2021 election.
how does a constitutional amendment get on the ballot?
There are two ways in which a constitutional amendment can get on the ballot. The first requires a special presentation to USAC, which is then followed by a ⅔ majority vote on whether to add it to the ballot or not. The second way involves a student led petition requiring 15% student signatures. In either case, the language itself is typically written by multiple student organizations and is subjected to several rounds of formal revisions by administrators. Once the initial language is drafted, it gets forwarded to the UC Office of the President (UCOP) for a full review. If the students accept the edits to the language, it is then approved by UCOP, and the ballot measure would either be approved by USAC or added by a student petition. Either after approval by USAC or before, the Chancellor and UCLA Administration must also approve the language of the constitutional amendment.
when does a constitutional amendment go into effect?
Once the constitutional amendment is passed in the Spring General Election, the established policies will go into effect starting Fall of the following academic school year.
who decides what's on a constitutional amendment?
Constitutional amendment language is created by students of the undergraduate students association, typically with input from many campus organizations. It is usually a response to an ongoing issue facing students.
what is the constitutional amendment on this year's ballot?
None
Referenda
general faq
what is a referenda?
Referenda is the plural form of referendum. A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is invited to vote on a particular proposal. This may result in a Student Fee Adjustment Measure. There is one referendum on the ballot in the spring 2021 election: BERF.
what is a supplemental information and is it binding?
Supplemental language is additional information for voters in regards to a referendum. But it is not just informative - it is equally as binding as the "shall" question. That's why it's important to review the supplemental language for the referendum (click here). On the ballot itself, in my.UCLA, you can click the (+) button to see the supplemental information.
how does a referendum get on the ballot?
There are two ways in which a referendum can get on the ballot. The first requires a special presentation to USAC, which is then followed by a ⅔ majority vote on whether to add it to the ballot or not. The second way involves a student led petition requiring 10% student signatures. In either case, the language itself is typically written by multiple student organizations and is subjected to several rounds of formal revisions by administrators. Once the initial language is drafted, it gets forwarded to the UC Office of the President (UCOP) for a full review. If the students accept the edits to the language, it is then approved by UCOP, and USAC votes to add it onto the ballot. Either after approval by USAC or before, the Chancellor and UCLA Administration must also approve the language of the referenda. Specifically, a budget analysis is done, in order to ensure that the funds generated by the referendum will actually be enough to deliver on the promise of the referendum.
can the revenue generated by a referendum be used for something else?
No, once the referendum goes into effect, the money that is allotted cannot be reallocated by USAC.
when does a referendum go into effect?
Once the referendum is passed in the Spring General Election, the established policies will go into effect starting Fall of the following academic school year. The start times are listed in the "Shall" question.
who decides what's on a referendum?
Referendum language is drafted created by students of the undergraduate students association, typically with input from many campus organizations. It is usually a response to an ongoing issue facing students.
what is the referendum on this year's ballot?
BERF: Bruin Emergency Relief Fund
It is described, in detail below.
ON THE BALLOT
in the Spring 2022 election
Referendum
EARn!
Education, Access, and Retention Now!
Shall the Undergraduate Students Association address the space, resource, and programming needs of the Black Bruin Resource Center and Transfer Student Center by implementing the EARN fee of $5.00 per undergraduate student for Fall, Winter and Spring Quarters ($3.00 per UC undergraduate student enrolled at UCLA in summer session), beginning in Fall 2022.