The incoming USG leaders said misogyny in student government was a “big factor” in their decision to run for office.
President-elect Divya Jakatdar and Vice President-elect Michelle Lu, both current USG senators, told Annenberg Media they received at least four misogynistic comments from fellow student leaders in one-on-one conversations.
“We saw the culture in student government, as it is right now, there have been many complaints over the last year about misogyny and condescension,” Jakatdar said. “We have been on the receiving end of several instances of misogyny over the last year.”
Jakatdar said she thought the comments intended to undermine female leadership in the organization, but neither Jakatdar nor Lu would describe the incidents in detail.
“We want to be very open, [but] there are also rules according to the current processes about how we can discuss this while the situation’s being addressed,” Jakatdar said.
Jakatdar said comments in question had come from both men and women.
“It’s misogyny, and it’s like varying forms of condescension,” Jakatdar said. “But some of the comments were not about that. It was about income. And like it was about some pretty crazy, obvious [diversity, equity and inclusion] issues.”
The accusations have ignited a debate over the culture of an organization that represents 21,000 students with a $2.5 million budget.
In an interview with Annenberg Media, USG President Hannah Woodworth, whose term expires in May, acknowledged an “isolated” incident of misconduct.
“I’d like to say that this has been one specific person that I have heard this come from,” Woodworth said. “We have followed the appropriate and necessary channels that are created by the university to ensure that the correct disciplinary action was taken.”
Woodworth and others in USG leadership declined to elaborate on the incident, citing privacy reasons, but said the comment did not target a specific person and described it as “low impact” in offensiveness.
Lu said she’s filed one report to the USG administration. It’s unclear whether that report was the complaint Woodworth mentioned.
Members in the organization have the ability to file anonymous complaints that go straight to executive leadership for review. Just like any organization tied to the university, USG leadership has an obligation to hand over “significant” violations to USC campus partners, such as Title IX and Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention and Services.
“That hasn’t happened yet because nothing has been significant enough to be sent to those officers,” said Diego Andrades, USG chief of staff. “If we get a complaint — we don’t have the permission to share it across the entire organization, but we will let people know if something is cultural.”
Jakatdar said the current administration has “good intentions” but described a gap in what reporting processes can address.
“We have repeat offenders in our organization. We know of people who have gotten many complaints from many different people, and if the most that can happen is them to get lectured and they keep doing it, that’s just not going to work,” Jakatdar said. “That makes our own students feel uncomfortable. Nobody deserves to feel like that.”
Jakatdar and Lu said they want to address the problem on Day One.
“We want to create tangible consequences beyond that initial conversation so that these offenses don’t continue to happen,” Jakatdar said. “We’re currently in the process of amending [the] bylaws that would also hold officers to a behavioral standard.”
Woodworth described student government as “vibrant and compassionate” but did not dismiss other claims of wrongdoing.
“This has not been reported or shared with us, so it makes me sad that this is what people are experiencing within our organization, Woodworth said. “I will never question or doubt women who are coming forward about what their experience looks like.”
Jakatdar and Lu emphasized that not every person subjected to offensive comments makes an official report.
“It’s not to say that anyone has bad intentions, but it’s just surprising sometimes that at this stage in our lives, other students say things or think like that,” Jakatdar said. “It’s definitely upsetting, it’s hurtful. It’s frustrating. It feels like we’re constantly being undermined.
For Victor Ye, a sophomore majoring communications, serving in the USG Senate was an “eye opening” experience. He resigned in the fall semester to pursue other opportunities.
“I think a lot of progress has been made throughout the organization over the last year but also I think, plagued by mismanagement [and] conflicts between members of the organization,” Ye said.
Ye said he heard “concerning” comments from his colleagues that often went unaddressed.
“I’d say the comments were unnecessary and potentially aimed at dividing people within the organization,” Ye said. “An organization’s culture is reflected upon the leadership of the members not only those from the very top, but also those that report to the top.”
William Lee, a senior majoring in political science and history, filled a vacancy on the USG Senate in January. Now two months in office, Lee said some policy debates have turned personal but nothing outwardly offensive.
“I would never say that it got so personal, that like a serious fight broke out or anything [but] I would say certainly, a little bit rude and unprofessional,” Lee said.
Lee added that USG’s administration has been professional in “making sure the culture at USG is not toxic.”
Woodworth acknowledged areas for improvement but touted the growth of the organization.
“There is a clear contrast between the culture that we see this year and people’s excitement being in the office as compared to last year,” Woodworth said.