ASUCLA serves, hears its peers

Imagine a room filled with collective minds from all parts of
campus working together to serve the needs of the UCLA community.
Imagine undergraduate students, graduate students, alumni,
administration and faculty meeting to share a common goal to find
more creative ways to better serve you and your peers.

Now take this image of individuals, these
“representatives,” if you will, and answer some
questions about it ““ how many students are there? Who is
running the meeting? Who makes up the majority vote? Is it
students?

At any other campus, you will be left to your imagination. But
for us Bruins, this conglomerate of perspectives and concerns is
realized in the Associated Students of UCLA Board of Directors.

Founded in 1919, ASUCLA brings a rich history of student-run
organizations, services and enterprises to this campus. It’s
mission is simple: to enhance campus life by providing places to
gather, activities, programs, employment and leadership experience
to UCLA students ““ all in a student-centered environment
which values participatory decision-making.

So, what has ASUCLA done for you lately? Over the past few years
ASUCLA has instituted many new programs and services to further the
mission of service to UCLA students. ASUCLA established 24-hour
study lounges and free coffee during 10th and finals week, added
two new meeting rooms in Ackerman Union (aka the Viewpoint
Conference rooms), renovated Kerckhoff Hall study lounges and the
Ackerman Union Meeting Rooms, and introduced web-based services to
students including ordering textbooks online for delivery or
pick-up, and commencement materials available through on-line
orders.

Additionally, ASUCLA has listened to the concerns of students
and encouraged their initiative by responding with the Student
Commissioned Art program, the introduction of Fair Trade coffee in
all the coffeehouses, adoption of a code of conduct for apparel
manufacturers, institution of the Rainy Day Seating Program, which
provides places to study and dine inside the union during inclement
weather, and support of UCLA’s official charity, UNICAMP.

In an effort to proactively engage student opinion, ASUCLA
consistently administers a survey which helps determine how we can
better serve our community. The hair salon, sporting goods store,
CD store, Post Office and several nationally branded food concepts
were brought to this campus as a result of the most highly
requested commercial services determined by students. (Do you know
any other campus that serves Boba?)

Lastly, ASUCLA is the largest student employer on campus,
providing over 1,500 jobs to UCLA students each year. These jobs
put students in positions to become better leaders, support
themselves financially, and create bonds with fellow students. They
are given many opportunities for personal growth and educational
advancement through their experience. It does all this while
allowing a flexible schedule for the working student, a short or
non-existent commute, and tangible supervisory possibilities.

Some students may claim that ASUCLA no longer fulfills its
mission of service to students. As chairwoman of the board of
directors and a fellow undergraduate student, I would like to take
this opportunity to invite you to let us know what services you
feel are lacking, as we work very hard to meet the needs of our
beloved UCLA community. For those of you that are interested in
attending a board meeting, please feel free as they are open to the
public. ASUCLA was established in 1919 to serve students, and this
continues to be our mission.