Council looks to welcome new students

By Melody Wang
Daily Bruin Contributor

Students new to UCLA may feel lost at such a populous place, but
some student groups are hoping to change that.

Welcome Week, sponsored by the Undergraduate Students
Association Council, seeks to expose students to campus life. It
starts today and will feature events like a movie sneak preview and
spoken word performance.

“We just wanted to have a week at the beginning of the
school year with lots of programs so incoming students can get
involved,” said USAC Internal Vice President Elias
Enciso.

USAC President Elizabeth Houston said council members began
planning Welcome Week two or three weeks ago. In particular, she
said she is excited about the student voter registration
program.

“I think it’s going to be really great to get
students to vote,” Houston said.

USAC will kick off the week with the Asian Pacific Coalition
groups tabling along Bruin Walk. Other student advocacy groups will
hand out information Tuesday.

APC’s Orientation Fair will consist of live performances
by groups such as the Indian Student Union.

“The goal is to reach out to freshmen, transfers and even
people still in school to get them involved with their school and
community,” APC Chair Kei Nagao said.

“It’s about the whole college experience, not just
academics,” she continued.

In addition to introducing students to different groups on
campus, USAC is hosting a spoken word performance where artists
will address various issues on campus, such as racism and
violence.

“Spoken word is a combination of poetry and hip
hop,” said Wendy Sanchez, one of the performers.
“It’s an art, but it’s also very educational if
you pay attention to the lyrics.”

The IVP office and La Familia, a Latino LGBT group, will attempt
to expose students to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues
by co-sponsoring a workshop Wednesday.

Enciso said the purpose of the conference, titled LGBT/Queer
Campus Life, is to let all students know what life is like on
campus for gays and lesbians.

“It’s an event that caters to all students,”
he said.

But at the last council meeting, Houston disagreed and said it
was inappropriate for USAC to sponsor an event that did not address
the needs of all students.

“I don’t think that this program is going to be very
beneficial and I regret doing it,” Houston said. “Not
that I don’t support the issue, but I don’t support
that we only address that one issue.”

Enciso said the conference was initially to be part of Days of
Dialogue, a program held last year where different issues were
discussed or debated each day. But USAC members were unable to work
out the details for the other discussions due to time
limitations.

Facilities Commissioner Steve Davey said USAC should simply host
one day of dialogue with brief discussions about all issues
concerning students.

“I think more importantly, the forum should be inclusive
to all students,” Davey said. “Why should we limit the
issues?”

But Welcome Week does not only discuss serious campus issues.
The events offered serve to create a lively atmosphere welcoming
new students to the university.

Campus Events Commissioner Jared Seltzer and Cultural Affairs
Commissioner Marselle Washington have arranged for live bands to
perform during the week.

Seltzer has also set up a free sneak preview of the movie
“Dr. T and the Women,” to be released in theaters Oct.
13.

He said his office is responsible for showing students a good
time and not worrying as much about other issues.

“We’re all about having fun,” Seltzer said.
“Get your moral fix somewhere else.”

CALENDAR OF EVENTS MONDAY:
10a.m. – 3p.m. APC Orientation in Westwood Plaza

TUESDAY: 12p.m. – 1p.m. USAC & organization
tabling in Westwood Plaza
6p.m. – 8p.m. LGBT/Queer Campus Life in Royce 156

WEDNESDAY: 11a.m. – 1p.m. Voter registration on
Bruin Walk
6p.m. – 8p.m. Spoken word at the Cooperage

THURSDAY: 11a.m. – 1p.m. Voter registration on
Bruin Walk
8p.m. Movie: Dr. T and the Women in Ackerman Grand Ballroom

FRIDAY: 12p.m. -1p.m. Concert in Westwood
Plaza

Original by YU WANG/Daily Bruin Senior Staff Web Adaptation by
MONICA KWONG/Daily Bruin Senior Staff