The ASUCD Ethnic and Cultural Affairs Commission is one of the 7 legislative commissions under the ASUCD Senate. It is responsible for investigating and recommending policies and programs concerning the ethnic communities of UC Davis and for establishing liaison and achieving rapport with all on-campus and off-campus bodies affecting ethnic communities and their quality of life at the University. The commission consists of nine members and two alternates. Mainly programmatic, ECAC is known for hosting Diversity Days every Fall quarter and working with various culture weeks. ECAC is also the sister commission of the Gender and Sexuality Commission.
2019-2020 Leadership:
Chair: Yalda Saii (2020-present)
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Controversies:
In January 2019 the Commission drew local and nationwide criticism and condemnation for its actions following the murder of City of Davis Police Officer Natalie Corona. Days after the officer's murder, and before she was buried, a post appeared on the Commission's Facebook page which appeared to imply that Officer Corona was racist for taking a photograph with the Thin Blue Line flag. This aroused national outrage. The post, and the Commission Facebook account, quickly disappeared. It is unknown whether the full Commission agreed to this post, but as of 2/22/2019 it does not appear that any of the 2018-2019 Commissioners have come out against the post.
Many members of ASUCD condemned the post and called on the Commission to retract its statement. Commission Chair Rina Singh said that she stood firmly behind the Facebook post. Ms. Singhcomplained that she and her Commission had been subjected to threats because of their views.
More information on the controversial Facebook post here.
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Past Chairs:
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Jonina Balabis 2019-2020
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Rina Singh 2018-2019
- Kriti Garg 2013-2014
- Emmanuel Diaz-Ordaz 2012-2013
- Edd Montelongo 2010-2012
- Jasmine Smith 2009-2010
- Momo Newborn 2008-2009
- Poonam Dayalji 2007-2008
- Najia Khan 2006-2007
- Raheel Mann 2005-2006
- Brenda Mora 2004-2005
- Pamela Palpallatoc 2003-2004
- Atul Nair 2002-2003
- Mary Vasquez 2001-2002
- Joel Gutierrez Spring 2001
- Elyna Cespedes Fall 2000-Winter 2001
- Erica Alfaro 1999-Winter 2000
- Noah Cuttler 1998-1999
- Melanie Reyes Winter 1998-Spring 1998
- Margaret Clinton Spring 1997-Fall 1997
- Dylan Souza 1996-Winter 1997
- Oliva Martinez Winter 1996-Spring 1996
- Fatima Baysac Fall 1995
- Sarah Bycel Winter 1995-Spring 1995
- Michele Ho Fall 1994
- Monique Soto Winter 1994-Spring 1994
- ???? Fall 1994
- Irma Munoz 1992-1993
- Arshi Siddiqui 1991-1992
- ECAC official website
