Shape history through involvement in Bruin community

  Karren Lane Lane is the 2001-2002
Undergraduate Students Association Council President.

On behalf of the Undergraduate Students Association Council, I
would like to welcome you to UCLA!

You are entering UCLA at a very exciting and pivotal time. As
the landscape of the state of California becomes more culturally
diverse, UCLA has become less reflective of the diverse population
it’s intended to serve as a California public
institution.

This shift is a contradiction to the last thirty years of UCLA
history. Within the last three decades, UCLA has revolutionized
education by taking active steps to actualize the concept of
diversity on campus.

The collective efforts of UCLA students, faculty, administration
and community members have resulted in the creation of the ethnic
studies centers, UCLA’s divestment from apartheid South
Africa and the development of the High Potential program, which
created comprehensive admission policies admitting students based
on their desire to continue their education and the contributions
they would make to the campus and the greater community.

It was efforts such as these that earned UCLA its reputation as
one of the most prestigious universities in the nation. We, as
students, must all play our role in ensuring that UCLA stays true
to its history of diversity through student activism and collective
effort.

This year, USAC, as the leadership body of UCLA’s student
government, aims to face this challenge head on by providing
opportunities for students to become more actively engaged in their
educational experience.

The primary role of USAC is to advocate on behalf of
students’ needs. All of the student government officers have
concrete plans to address issues including the cost of housing, the
availability of parking, financial aid, campus safety, the lack of
diversity in curriculum and admission policy reform. The intention
is to provide a campus environment that it is supportive of
students’ development as individuals.

However, all of these efforts are contingent upon your
participation. As students, you must take full ownership of your
educational experience.

Traditionally, “students” are considered individuals
who simply consume information inside of a classroom. This approach
to education does a disservice to the work that you have done and
the sacrifices the greater community has made for you to get to
UCLA.

As students entering UCLA, I challenge you to be active,
critical “consumers” and “contributors” of
information both inside and outside the classroom. More
importantly, go beyond thought and dialogue and initiate
progressive action that will impact your own life and the lives of
the people around you.

If our experience at UCLA is intended to prepare us for life
beyond college, we must engage in activities that will broaden our
prospective and understanding of ourselves and the world around
us.

The reality is that a holistic approach to education can not
occur within the confines of the classroom. As such, I encourage
you to get involved in the various student activities on
campus.

UCLA has a long tradition of student activism that has greatly
enhanced student life. Student organizations help provide
alternative means of education through programming on issues such
as sexuality, gender, diverse cultural experiences, labor and
environmental issues, political participation and religion.

In addition, there are student-initiated programs that work to
retain students on campus, such as the Student Retention Center and
USAC’ s Student Welfare Commission.

Lastly, as UCLA students, we are valuable resources to the
greater community. It is important that we participate in
activities that connect us back to the community. The Community
Programs Office, the Student Initiated Outreach Committee and
USAC’s Community Service Commission provide opportunities for
students to work in the Los Angeles community as mentors and
counselors, as well as to provide education on issues such as
health, culture and individual rights.

Our involvement in student government and student organizations
provides an opportunity for us to develop as well-rounded
individuals with an understanding of social responsibility, which
positively impacts our ability to achieve academically.

Student activism and collective action with diversity as the
guiding principle is the key to maintain the excellence of our
university. We must be active, because we recognize that we are a
part of history. We have the power to shape our own education and
what UCLA will be for the future generations to come.

I wish you great luck on your first year at UCLA and encourage
you take advantage of every resource, especially USAC, for support
in your educational pursuits.