USG passes resolution for Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) cultural lounge

USC’s Undergraduate Student Government passed a resolution on Tuesday night that calls on the university’s administration to establish an independent Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) cultural lounge and address structural inequalities.

Unlike other cultural groups at USC, the MENA community is currently housed within another identity-based center, the Center for Black Cultural and Student Affairs, not occupying an independent space.

“If USC is committed to belonging, that commitment must be reflected, not only in its values but also in the spaces it chooses to create,” said Layan Alasseel, USG’s Middle Eastern & North African Student Assembly Advocacy Liaison, in the USG meeting.

MENA leaders have argued that the existing MENA Lounge is often overcrowded and insufficient for their growing community. Previously, MENA reported that their student population “has grown by nearly 300% over the past 3 terms.”

In a fall 2025 survey, 94.3% of MENA-identifying respondents considered a dedicated MENA space extremely important due to its impact on belonging and cross-community topics.

When discussing the resolution, Senator Jad Kilani read aloud survey responses such as,“It’s my safe space” and “A dedicated space for my identity.”

The resolution also dives into the broader inequalities that the MENA students have faced. While university administrations have addressed constraints related to the limited space within the Student Union building, USG senators argue that past decisions suggest spatial flexibility when priorities align.

The resolution also states that within one week of it being signed, it will be sent to university administrators, including USC President Beong-Soo Kim, for further action.