Academic year sees share of pros and cons

As the academic year closes, the Daily Bruin Editorial Board
reflects on what makes our university as great as it is, and what
UCLA’s weaknesses are. We’ve compiled a list of the
five best and five worst events, developments, programs, people or
trends from the last year. Here they are, starting with our
shortcomings. UCLA’s worst:

5. Affirmative action bake sale: The Bruin Republicans’
bake sales, where cookies were sold at different prices based on
customers’ race, was insensitive and oversimplified the
complexity of programs that boost diversity. The Bruin Republicans
should be commended for its work to contribute to campus activism
and debate, but its ridiculous sale damages its credibility. The
sale inhibited students from seriously examining a serious issue.
4. David Dahle and “Manipulation is the Key”: Dahle,
the undergraduate student government president, gave a private memo
to all candidates running for office on his slate, calling for
manipulation and listing “friends and enemies.” The
memo ruined his credibility and threatened the cooperative and
optimistic spirit that should define student government and
activism. Luckily, not one person who ran for an Undergraduate
Students Association Council position this year shared his
bitterness. 3. Treatment of lecturers, TAs and campus workers:
UCLA, whose motto is Latin for “Let There Be Light,” is
in the dark regarding how to treat its employees. After much
protest and pubic outcry, lecturers received a bit more job
security and salary increases last week, but they still work with
limited benefits. Also, UCLA is currently considering waiving its
payment of TAs’ student fees. And campus workers continue
their effort to earn a contract, as the university seemingly turns
a deaf ear. 2. BruinGo!: Last year BruinGo! made The Bruin’s
top five list, but now the program is lost. Bruins will have to pay
$.25 per ride, rather than riding for free. When UCLA cannot
provide for enough parking, it must find alternative ways to bring
its students, faculty and workers to campus. The quarters add up
for students who commute by bus every day. 1. Student Fee
increases: The UC Regents approved a $405 fee increase and are on
the verge of approving another one about twice as large
““ the combined increase would be a 35 percent fee hike.
The result will be limited access to the university based on who
has enough money to pay for higher education, as public funds
continue to dwindle.

And, UCLA’s best: 5. Campus opposition to CRECNO: CRECNO
(aka Racial Privacy Initiative) would outlaw the official
collection of racial data, thus restricting research and
potentially harming campus diversity. USAC officers, regents,
campus administrators and student leaders have been wise to oppose
this referendum. Hopefully their efforts will lead to its defeat in
the 2004 election. 4. Separating conjoined twins: The separation of
Maria Teresa and Maria de Jesus Quiej-Alvarez was a medical,
humanitarian and technological triumph. All of the people involved
in the effort should be proud they have given two girls a new
chance in life. 3. Firing coaches Steve Lavin and Bob Toledo:
Athletic Director Dan Guerrero was right to dump Lavin and Toledo.
Lavin led UCLA basketball to its worst season in more than 50
years, mismanaged talented players, and could not teach fundamental
basketball skills. Toledo lost to USC four years in a row, could
not control players off the field, and struggled with spotty game
management. With new leadership, UCLA will hopefully be able to
turn these programs around. 2. UC President Richard Atkinson: Since
his appointment as president in 1995, Atkinson has managed an
enrollment increase of 30,000 students, championed reform of the
SAT, and modified UC admissions policies. He will retire soon, but
his legacy will remain well into the 21st century. 1. Campus
reaction to war: War on Iraq provoked strong reactions throughout
the world, but the UCLA community responded particularly well,
utilizing the resources of the campus to inform and rally people of
all views. Informative teach-ins, pro-war and anti-war
demonstrations, special lectures and general student concern all
contributed to an informed and active campus reaction to the
war.