Company: Associated Students UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
Company Description: ASUCLA, the Associated Students UCLA, was created when UCLA first opened its doors back in 1919. Even in the very early years, ASUCLA meant student government, student publications, and student services such as a bookstore and cafeteria. Today, ASUCLA has evolved into a four-part organization. These four entities of ASUCLA collectively make up the largest student association in the country.
Nomination Category: Company / Organization Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Student-Run Business of the Year
 Nomination Title: Associated Students UCLA (ASUCLA)
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes in length about the achievements of the nominated organization since January 1 2022, OR written answers to the questions for this category? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the nominated video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this first question: Briefly describe the nominated organization: its history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 185 words used.
Associated Students UCLA (ASUCLA) is a student-run, nonprofit organization on the UCLA campus. Its mission is to provide innovative and excellent services, programs, products and facilities to the entire UCLA community.
Founded in concert with the establishment of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1919, ASUCLA has developed into the four-part organization that it is today. Led by a student-majority board of directors, ASUCLA is composed of the four entities:
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Undergraduate Students Association (USA): the elected undergraduate student representatives of over 25,000 undergraduate students at UCLA
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Graduate Students Association (GSA): the elected graduate students who provide a voice in campus affairs for the over 13,000 graduate students enrolled at UCLA
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Student Media: the student-run publications on campus including the Daily Bruin, OutWrite Magazine, UCLA Radio and more
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Student-Run Enterprises: Includes the ASUCLA Student Union, ASUCLA Restaurants, UCLA Store and its retail operations, UCLA Trademarks and Licensing, ASUCLA Marketing and Photography, and administrative support for the entire Association
As approximately 86% of the ASUCLA staff are current UCLA students, these four entities collectively make up the largest student association in the country.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this second question: Outline the organization's achievements since the beginning of 2022 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 249 words used.
UCLA Store accepts CalFresh
ASUCLA diversifies food with new Restaurants
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August 2022: ASUCLA opened UCLA’s first fully autonomous smoothie kiosk to campus with Jamba by Blendid.
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September 2022: After a seven-month closure, ASUCLA reopened Northern Lights with campus food favorites.
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September 2022: In collaboration with UCLA Housing, ASUCLA facilitated the opening of Epicuria at Ackerman.
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January 2023: ScrubJay Cafe now serves the UCLA medical community.
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January 2023: Dachi further expanded Asian snack offerings in the Student Union.
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September 2023: Following the pandemic-related closure, Greenhouse reopened to diversify food on campus with healthy options.
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September 2023: SAMBAZON opens in the Student Union with organic acai.
Inclusive Access saves students $1.1 million in course materials
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August 2023: Over the 2022-2023 academic year, the Inclusive Access program saved over 50,000 participating UCLA students over $1.1 million on 77,550 digital course materials.
NIL merchandise available at UCLA Store
Student Union expands programming
Social media reaches new heights
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this third question: Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the organization's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 250 words used.
Since 2022, ASUCLA proudly introduced the acceptance of CalFresh benefits at two UCLA Store locations — a pioneering move for university campus stores nationwide. With nearly 55,000 CalFresh transactions to date, the service will expand to all six UCLA Store locations, ensuring Bruins have reliable access to food no matter where they are on campus.
Through ASUCLA’s Restaurants, new dining options were presented to UCLA since 2022: Epicuria at Ackerman, in a first-time collaboration with UCLA Housing, provides students who rely on their meal plans for sustenance yet another vital location in the heart of campus for daily meals; ScrubJay Cafe serves the UCLA medical community; and many more.
The UCLA Store, a student-run enterprise of ASUCLA, saved over 50,000 students over $1.1 million on 77,550 course materials as compared to traditional texts through Inclusive Access. Ground was further broken at the UCLA Store with the addition of Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) merchandise in support of more than a dozen active and retired UCLA athletes.
The ASUCLA Student Union expanded programming, bringing weekly de-stress events with wellness professionals, service animals and more to establish an interactive and inclusive environment for all students, post-pandemic halt.
In the digital realm, ASUCLA’s social media channels grew by 14% on Instagram; by actively listening to followers, ASUCLA became top UCLA-affiliated Instagram pages in 2022, reflecting the commitment to meeting Bruins’ needs.
Although not conclusive of all ASUCLA has achieved, the aforementioned is a glimpse into the successes reached since 2022.
- You have the option to answer this final question: Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 247 words used.
https://www.asucla.ucla.edu/
UCLA Store now accepts CalFresh benefits for food, groceries
The below articles were written in anticipation of CalFresh acceptance going live on campus, including insight from campus partners who helped bring the initiative to fruition:
The EBT locator identifies two UCLA Store locations that accepts CalFresh; please search:
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UCLA Store: 308 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA, 90095
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UCLA Store Health Sciences: 650 Charles E. Young Drive, South, Los Angeles, CA, 90095
ASUCLA diversifies food offerings with new Restaurant locations
The below articles cover the different openings of ASUCLA Restaurants since 2022:
Inclusive Access saves students over $1 million in course materials
This ASUCLA BenefitsU email garners Inclusive Access sign-ups every quarter, and reports successes from the previous academic year. A student testimonial of Inclusive Access and a step-by-step guide, further details its benefits for students.
NIL merchandise available at UCLA Store
Student Union expands programming
This article highlights the efforts to bring yet another student space to campus:
Social media reaches new heights
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An industry report for UCLA-affiliated Instagram accounts linked here ranks ASUCLA and the UCLA Store as top accounts.
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The ASUCLA KPI tracker for the 2022-2023 Fiscal Year through the link here, highlights the ASUCLA Instagram accounts’ growth.
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