Student’s reasons behind sit-in for Muldavin inaccurately represented

Kozak is a second-year sociology and international development
studies student.

By Sophia Kozak

As a student whom the Daily Bruin took the liberty to identify
as one of the 19 students arrested for protesting Professor Josh
Muldavin’s tenure (“19,
including student regent, arrested for sit-in,” News, May
9), I think the reasons for my arrest were inaccurately
depicted.

As a rational, informed individual, I made a decision to commit
to this protest, not only because the teacher of the year has not
been granted tenure, but because of the implications of this
omission.

The article printed in The Bruin about the sit-in last week
failed to address the issue of why 19 students risked so much for
this cause. Although I cannot speak for each of the 18 other men
and women in Murphy Hall that night, I can say that I was fighting
not only for Muldavin, but for the important, larger issue his case
epitomizes.

The importance placed on quality teaching at UCLA has been
decreasing. UCLA students should be earnestly concerned because
this declining emphasis on good teaching endangers the quality of
education we are all receiving.

There are more than 35,000 of us at UCLA and we have all paid to
attend. As undergraduates, most of us chose to come here not
because of the research aspect of the university; we came here
expecting an education held to high standards by professors
committed to student learning.

According to the general catalog, UCLA is regarded as a top
university equally dedicated to excellence in research and
teaching. However, Muldavin’s case is evidence that research
is, in fact, much more highly valued at UCLA than quality
teaching.

Muldavin has been published multiple times in top journals in
his field. In addition, he has been acknowledged by the students
and the university as one of the best teachers at UCLA.

Along with receiving various UCLA distinguished teaching awards,
Professor Muldavin was the ’97-’98 UCLA nominee for the
Carnegie Foundation National Distinguished Teacher Award. Out of
all the eligible faculty members, he was singled out as the
professor to represent UCLA’s finest in teaching at this
nationwide award event

The university’s priority should be quality education
since this is in the students’ best interests. The tenure
process should be protecting professors who show a commitment to
student learning. We should not have to fight against the tenure
process for those teachers who give us the standard of education we
expect when coming to this university.

Some might say this is a research university and as such it is
not for everyone. But really, if the quality of teaching is not
made a priority, is that beneficial for any student who values
their education?

I came to college thinking that I was going to learn how to read
and write critically. Instead, I was asked to regurgitate more
facts and figures just like in high school.

I heard so much about Muldavin from other students that out of
curiosity, I went to one of his Geography 5 lectures. I was so
impressed that I kept going back to sit in on his class.

One of the things I admired most about his teaching approach was
that Muldavin encouraged us to think for ourselves and to see the
world around us with a critical eye, passionate mind and a constant
will to learn and grow.

Have you had professors like this? How many? Do you think your
UCLA experience would have been the same without them?

Although students can give “input” regarding
professors up for tenure, they have no say in the decision-making
process itself. Student evaluations are submitted to the
decision-making committees, but there is no assurance that the
students’ interests are really being taken into consideration
because there is no active student presence allowed.

The protest that occurred on May 8 was the only way we, as
students, could make our voices heard.

Because I value my education and believe that the students on
this campus deserve a good education as well, I participated in our
peaceful and deliberate act of civil disobedience. Quality teaching
needs to be made a priority at this institution of higher
learning.

Professor Josh Muldavin should be granted tenure, and more
professors should be encouraged to emulate the teaching excellence
he exemplifies.