John Strelow
By Daily Bruin Staff
April 29, 1998 9:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 30, 1998
John Strelow
GRO
My first experience with student government at UCLA was poor. It
was at convocation a year ago, welcoming all incoming
undergraduates to our university. USAC President John Du spoke. Did
he speak to welcome us to UCLA? To congratulate us on our
accomplishments? To inform us of the services student government
could provide?
No. Instead, he said, "Register to vote, and vote against 209!"
Apparently, if you supported Proposition 209, your student
government did not believe you should vote.
This was not an isolated viewpoint. USAC has continually aligned
itself with certain political positions. I support the rights of
the members of USAC to voice their opinions and work toward
political goals. I resent the fact that they have done so in the
name of student representation. As long as we have a student
government that asserts certain political positions, it only
represents those students who share that viewpoint. I feel strongly
that each student must be represented, no matter what their views
are.
As a general representative, my responsibility would be to
represent all students, even those I may disagree with or who come
from a different background. If a concern is brought to me, I will
present that viewpoint to USAC at large. It is a responsibility I
will take seriously. I look forward to the chance to represent you.
All of you.
John Strelow
