Undergraduate Students Association

Community Service Commission

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_{About CSC}

As the community service focused office of UCLA student government (USAC), we serve both as an umbrella organization for 33 student-run service projects, and a center for the service efforts of the campus community, using large-scale service programming, and advocacy & awareness initiatives to engage UCLA students in service.

CSC projects work independently under our umbrella to address issues within the community, using both direct service and advocacy to affect social change. Each of our projects focuses on a particular issue in areas ranging from poverty & homelessness, to education, to health, and beyond.

CSC staff members plan Alternative Break immersion trips, campus events such as Day of Service and Nonprofit Networking Night, and quarterly advocacy campaigns. We partner with other campus organizations and UCLA administration to co-program service events. Our staff also works directly with projects to help further their efforts. Through the Commissioner, we have a voice on USAC to represent service-minded students across campus.

Our overall mission is to better the Los Angeles & global community with both direct service and advocacy, and to educate and inspire fellow students to do the same.

OUR HISTORY

CSC becomes a part of USAC

1965

A political science graduate student, Tom Hoeber, was involved in a tutorial program in Venice. He felt that the university should do more to support student service projects, especially with regards to funding and transportation and that service groups needed representation in student government. To achieve this, he garnered cross-campus support and transformed the structure of UCLA student government, creating the Community Service Commission, as well as the Campus Events Commission (CEC) and Cultural Affairs Commission (CAC).

First Alternative Spring Break at UCLA

1991

Alternative Spring Break was started in an attempt to promote hands on community service within UCLA by immersing volunteers in an environment away from UCLA for the week of Spring Break. That year, 20 volunteers went to 2 different sites: Tijuana, Mexico and Teesto, Arizona.

CSC begins annual Day of Service

2002

The Community Service Commission established the annual tradition of Day of Service, an event in which UCLA students can go out in the Los Angeles community for a day to volunteer and give back. The event has grown from focusing on one issue each year to involving many different issues, 15+ sites and hundreds of students!

CSC creates the Leadership in Service Award

2010

The John H. Sarvey & Robert S. Michaels Leadership in Service Award, formerly the USAC Community Service Scholarship, recognizes leaders of social change who have made an impact on underserved communities. This scholarship was named in honor of the late John Hoang Sarvey, former Community Service Commissioner, President of the Undergraduate Students Association Council (USAC), and leader of social justice. More recently, the award name was also expanded to include Robert S. Michaels, former USAC President and key figure in the establishment of this award. Through Michaels’ continued support, guidance, and advocacy on behalf of the Community Service Commission and Office of the President, we have had the privilege of recognizing service-minded undergraduates for their impressive contributions to the community.

#UCLAWellness Initiative is passed

2016

During USAC elections 2016, CSC partnered with SWC and CEC to bring this referendum to the ballot. The UCLA Student body voted in favor of the referendum, bringing increased funding to CSC’s advocacy efforts, immersion programs, and ongoing transportation needs, amongst other programs run by SWC, CEC and CAPS.