Submission: Transfer students deserve more representation

Over the years, the number of transfer students applying to UCLA has grown at a steady rate.

However, despite the growing number of applicants to this esteemed university, quality representation for admitted transfer students has been limited. This can be seen through the lack of transfer student housing, the fact that transfer orientation lasts only one day instead of a few compared to freshmen orientation, the lack of new student advisors and mentors qualified to help transfer students, and much more. Compared to their traditional student counterparts, transfer students are at a disadvantage due to this lack of resources.

This disadvantage can potentially have a negative effect on the transfer student experience at UCLA as a whole and can affect the reputation of UCLA in the long run. Without quality resources, transfer student grades can plummet, their mental health may be affected in a negative way, and in worse cases, it may lead to transfer students dropping out or transferring to another university. As more transfer students experience these problems, UCLA could see a less diverse student body, lower grade averages and less promising individuals in prestigious student programs.

UCLA’s transfer students deserve quality representation across the board so that they have the best chance at success. This change can be made possible only if all organizations, both on campus and those that serve UCLA students, restructure their groups to include more transfer students. And with greater transfer student representation in campus organizations, this will provide transfer students more opportunities for success as well as the ability to contribute more to UCLA during their time here.

Transfer Pride Week is a week dedicated to celebrating one of the biggest and most diverse communities on our campus: the transfer community. The week will consist of an on-campus resource fair, Toast to Transfers Mixer and many other events to highlight the transfer community. Get all the information at transfers.ucla.edu.

Farmer is the director of external affairs for the Transfer Student Representative’s office in the Undergraduate Students Association Council.