Praxis deserves credit for recognizing, confronting toughest university iss

If there’s one thing to be gained from the Daily
Bruin’s USAC candidate endorsements, it’s a reality
check on what undergraduates at UCLA really think. That
“reality” is scary because it ignores the idea that
student activism can produce a positive good; in the case of
Praxis, that means ethnic diversity.

The formation of the Viable Alternative slate, made up of
candidates largely based in on-campus housing, proves that some
students ““ at least those living on the hill ““ are fed
up with Praxis. Viable Alternative’s candidates argue that
Praxis has alienated many students with their focus on “world
issues.”

And apparently, dorm residents aren’t the only ones
critical of the status quo.

Nearly every independent USAC candidate who is not an in-house
commission nominee happens to be a member of either a sorority or a
fraternity. And although none of these candidates are part of an
official slate, they all seem to have the same complaint.

The Greek students on this campus, as evidenced by their recent
complaint to the chancellor, are insulted by the amount of funding
they received from USAC earlier this year. The Interfraternity
Council requested about $94,000 in the summer and received $680
instead.

Many of these independent candidates also decried what they felt
were Praxis’ “offensive” tactics, arguing that
the campus was divided along racial lines because of
“rowdy” protests and “disrespectful”
bargaining with administrators.

But with all this talk, these same novice candidates hide the
fact that they don’t know anything about the offices for
which they are running. Constantly complaining about funding of
student groups does no good when those who aren’t happy have
no idea how the process works.

But with such disparate corners of the campus up in arms,
it’s safe to say that many undergraduates are frustrated with
who they see as the ruling Praxis elite.

Unfortunately, though, neither Viable Alternative nor the
independent candidates have any idea why student government
officers have been shouting so loud. Recent sweeping and hateful
policies within the University of California and the state as a
whole, have required an equally aggressive student voice. The loss
of affirmative action at the UC has led to a shrinking number of
underrepresented minority students who can share their experiences
with others.

The campus has changed ““ and not for the better.

Unfortunately, Praxis slate members and the Students First!
slate members who preceded them, seem to be the only student
government candidates willing to take on the single biggest campus
controversy of the last 10 years. Every non-Praxis candidate can
pay lip service to the issue of diversity, but many fail to
understand what it really means.

While many students may feel alienated by Praxis, the
alternatives aren’t so viable. Say what you want about their
politics, but they understand the most important issues on this
campus.

Holding a leadership position on the hill or in a sorority or
fraternity does not make someone qualified for USAC office. Other
students deserve to have their views represented, but they should
spend time working in USAC offices and gaining some understanding
of what it means to be on student government before running for
elected positions.