Learn to savor the moments

My five years at UCLA have been the best years of my life. I
have matured academically, socially, and emotionally. When I
reflect on my time here, I do not immediately think about the many
jobs that I have held, how many papers I have written, or that I
was an elected official in student government. My best memories
stem from the personal interactions that I have had with the people
around me.

One of my most enjoyable years was when I was a Resident
Assistant in Hedrick Hall. The personal relationships that I
cultivated with my residents and co-workers have made a lasting
impact on me. I can only hope that I also made an impact on them.
On a sad note my former mentor and friend Gerald Lamb, who was my
boss at Hedrick, passed away earlier this year. Those that knew him
knew he was a great person. This unfortunate tragedy made me
realize that loss can happen to anyone at anytime, which is why I
have tried not to take any of my personal relationships for
granted.

Because of my involvement in the Undergraduate Student
Association Council I have met some of the most dedicated people at
UCLA. I have created lasting bonds with the people who worked with
me. USAC has been an unforgettable experience. Although my time in
USAC was punctuated by many good times and simultaneously some very
trying times, I relish the responsibilities and opportunities that
I had while I was a part of the council. USAC helped to reinforce
what I learned in the classroom by forcing me to confront real life
situations and to come up with practical solutions for almost
impossible problems. Those many hours spent in meetings sharpened
my appreciation for diverse opinions and made me realize that
sometimes you have to compromise to accomplish goals.

Since I left USAC I have had more time to enjoy the many
benefits this campus has to offer. For the past two years my free
time became so scarce that I did not take the time to appreciate
the many great programs, social experiences, clubs and sporting
events that have taken place. I frequently rushed away so fast from
class that I did not slow down to live in the moment. For the many
people that are participating in the hundreds of activities on
campus, take my advice and savor the many things that make UCLA
great.

I have never regretted my decision to come to UCLA ““ I
think it has been the best fit for me. But like every good thing,
it is not perfect.

As I prepare to graduate, I still see many problems. The minimum
progress requirement is forcing students to take more units than
they can sometimes handle. This prevents people from participating
in extracurricular activities. The rising costs of student fees is
alarming and will increase as long as the state’s budget woes
continue. Tidal Wave II will make UCLA, which already is one of the
most crowded UCs, even more impacted. These are the issues that
face USAC and all students in the upcoming year.

I am confident that I, along with the other graduates of the
Class of 2003, will leave UCLA very aware of the world around us.
During my five years at UCLA I have seen the economy go from an
unprecedented high to a recession. I have seen the political and
social dynamics of American life change because of the events of
Sept. 11, 2001 I have developed a respect for others regardless of
their beliefs, physical appearance or background. I have taken
classes that affected me so profoundly that they changed the way I
look at the world. I have met friends that will be with me for the
rest of my life. As this year comes to a close, remember that UCLA
is only as good as you make it.

Dahle was the 2002-2003 USAC president.