Most puzzling aspect of The Bruin is all that news

Barbara Ortutay   Ortutay is the 2000-2001
news editor. Do you have what it takes to be a reporter? E-mail her
at [email protected].
 

There is a crossword puzzle in every edition of this paper.
It’s the world’s easiest crossword puzzle, and chances
are the professor won’t notice as you attentively scribble
the answer to “where fish live” instead of taking notes
on the ancient history of Egypt.

Whether it’s the instant gratification of being able to
come up with the answers or the meticulous yet rewarding task of
filling in each box with a letter, the crossword puzzle is arguably
one of the most popular features of the Daily Bruin among UCLA
students.

People tear out the puzzle so it’s easier to hide in
class, and we get calls when, God forbid, the answers are printed
for the wrong day. It’s a comfortable, mindless job, and
filling it out is a break in our busy schedules ““ because
everyone is very busy at UCLA.

So busy we often forget why we are here in the first place.
It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of reality-based
TV shows, sparkling cell phone covers and Thursday night keggers.
To focus on getting a degree instead of getting an education. To
forget that with the privilege of attending one of the most
prestigious public universities in the world also comes a
responsibility to be an active member of society.

I don’t like the crossword puzzle because maybe if it
wasn’t there, you would read. Then again, maybe then you
wouldn’t pick up the paper.

This past year, news happened every day at UCLA. In February, 16
people were arrested at the Law School while protesting the
dwindling number of underrepresented minorities admitted. In April,
after a $150 million donation, UCLA’s hospital was renamed
honoring former president Ronald Reagan. In May, less than 8
percent of graduate students took the time out to vote.

Do you care?

What you do and don’t do will affect people for years to
come. In 1996, voters passed Proposition 209 and ended affirmative
action in college admissions. The university is still
recovering.

This past year, like every year, decisions were made, meetings
held, funds raised. Students were admitted, others denied. Someone
got yelled at for holding hands with her girlfriend. Someone looked
around his classroom and saw no other African Americans. Someone
helped a high school student get into college. Someone looked up
from the crossword puzzle.

We don’t make the news here: this is your paper. Are you
news?