Survey says students want more facilities, same fees

UCLA students are eager to have new facilities in Ackerman
Student Union, but when it comes down to footing the bill the
response is lukewarm, according to a recent survey from the
Associated Students of UCLA.

Many of the union services that students favor ““ such as
more computer lounges and a pub in the Cooperage ““ will cause
the current student union fee to double.

Student Union Director Jerry Mann recognizes that most students
don’t want a fee increase, but adds that the ASUCLA survey
did not provide compelling reasons for the fee hike.

“The bottom line is, most students don’t want to pay
more fees,” Mann said. “But the survey was just to see
the initial mood of the campus.”

When asked if they would be willing to pay $20 annually to
create new programming funds for the union, more space for student
organizations and more Internet access, less than 40 percent of the
students surveyed were willing.

Implementing a pub and more computer facilities are just two
components of ASUCLA’s Student Union Strategic Initiative
““ plans to make the union more student-friendly.

The initiative would try to make the student union less of a pit
stop for eating, and more of a place for social activity ““
especially since food was the top reason why students said they
visited the student union.

The other top four reasons for visiting the union included: the
UCLA store, ATM machines, the restrooms and “killing time
between classes.”

The student union fee, which is currently at an annual $7.50,
would need to be raised to approximately $20 in order to help pay
for the initiative.

ASUCLA is anticipating an online referendum this fall for
students to decide between improved Ackerman facilities or
maintaining the $7.50 fee.

Lawrence Rubin, who serves as a graduate representative on
ASUCLA’s board of directors, isn’t overly concerned
about the initial lackluster result of student feedback on the
student union fee increase.

“I think a lot of the board is convinced that once the
students are clearly shown what they would be getting for their
money … students will be convinced that this will be a worthwhile
investment,” Rubin said.

The ASUCLA board of directors ““ which consists of student
and management representatives ““ is in charge of approving
policies for the association.

Though students refuse to pay higher fees to support the union,
the majority of UCLA students surveyed were willing to have a fee
increase to improve the eating facilities, Mann said.

Inadequate funds could deprive most students of enjoying a
sociable student union right now, but lack of space in Ackerman is
the other reason why students are not bowling for strikes or
watching films in an actual theater, Mann said.

The board recognized the issue of overcrowding, but rejected
expanding Ackerman by an additional 35,000 square feet in October
due to financial constraints. At that time, the board did not want
student fees to increase.

“It would’ve enabled us to add the movie theater and
address the overcrowding issue,” Mann said.

But some additions that students wanted to see in the survey are
not necessary, Rubin said.

He pointed out that the movie theater, which was the top
facility students wanted in the union, is already provided in
Ackerman.

“Some services that students request are services that
ASUCLA already provides, but they just might not be aware of
it,” Rubin said.

Not being aware of the facilities that Ackerman offers is one
reason why third-year biochemistry student Arjang Naminik
doesn’t spend much of his free time in the union.

“We don’t really know what they have … they
don’t really have anywhere to socialize besides the
arcade,” said Naminik, who prefers meeting with friends on
the Kerckhoff patio to anywhere else in Ackerman.

ASUCLA e-mailed the week-long survey to 2,000 graduate and
undergraduate students at the end of April to gather student
feedback on what they wanted to see in the student union.

Questions on the survey ranged from where students spend most of
their free time on campus to their top five complaints about the
student union.

“The survey was so helpful to us because it helps us
prioritize the services students need or feel are essential to
their time at UCLA,” Rubin said.