The Undergraduate Students Association Council will have a new Cultural Affairs commissioner for the first time in nearly three years.
USAC unanimously voted to appoint Kyland Talbott, a fourth-year African American studies student, to the position during the council’s Tuesday meeting. Talbott will succeed former Cultural Affairs Commissioner Alicia Verdugo, who resigned Feb. 4 – days before they were set to face the USA Judicial Board over alleged antisemitic hiring practices.
[Related: USAC Cultural Affairs commissioner resigns amid antisemitism allegations]
Talbott, who has been a member of the Cultural Affairs Commission since his first year at UCLA, is the co-director of the commission’s Hip Hop Congress.
Talbott declined the Daily Bruin’s request for an interview about his appointment.
Bella Brannon, who filed the now-withdrawn complaint against Verdugo over alleged antisemitic hiring practices, said in a written statement that she is hopeful for Talbott’s future in office, adding that she believes he has passion for the role and a strong work ethic. She added that she hopes to see further inclusion of Jewish and Israeli culture in the commission’s work.
Brannon said in the statement, however, that she still has concerns about the USAC office.
“UCLA has yet to implement meaningful repercussions for the Cultural Affairs Commission’s blatant violations of school policy and federal anti-discrimination law,” said Brannon, a fourth-year public affairs and religion student and the editor-in-chief of Ha’Am – a Jewish newsmagazine with the same publisher as the Daily Bruin.
The role of the Cultural Affairs Commission is “to put on quality programming with cultural, political, or social relevance that is accessible to all students,” with a focus on awareness and activism, according to its student organization website. The commission also co-hosts Bruin Bash and other annual performance events.
According to the USA Constitution, vacancies on the council must be filled within three weeks. The USAC president nominates a candidate following an open application process and evaluation by the Appointments Review Committee, after which the council votes to confirm the nominee, according to the USA Bylaws.
USAC President Adam Tfayli said Talbott was selected out of more than 10 applicants for the position. He added that Talbott stood out as a model applicant because of his experience and familiarity with CAC.
Talbott said during Tuesday’s meeting that he hopes to help underrepresented communities on campus, adding that he is looking forward to planning the commission’s 60th anniversary and its annual JazzReggae Festival. He also has participated in a variety of the commission’s projects, including Bruin Bash.
“CAC is my life,” Talbott said during the meeting.
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