University allows students to discover the world, learn

Welcome to UCLA!

You are about to begin one of the most important, most
challenging, most exciting times of your entire life. During the
next few years, most of you will transition from the last days of
the relatively confined, somewhat predictable world of adolescence
into the wide open, unpredictable world of the rest of your life.
It is our job here at UCLA, as educators and advisors, to help you
make that process of transition in a way that is supportive,
exhilarating and rich in opportunities for personal growth. And
don’t forget, some of your greatest learning opportunities
will come from one another, your fellow students and classmates
with whom you will live and study.

The basic job of every student who enters UCLA is to learn; to
do the very best you can in your academic program. Obviously, this
will mean going to class, studying hard, working with your
professors, and using your superior intelligence to fully
understand your coursework. This is something each of you entering
UCLA in 2003 is eminently well prepared to do. But, in order to
truly make the most of your academic experience, you simply cannot
allow your effort to rest there.

The years you spend with us at UCLA will offer the opportunity
to become involved in an unmatched variety of activities, programs,
campaigns and causes. This is a time unlike any other in your life,
when you will have the time, space and personal latitude to explore
the possibilities. So take the plunge. Get involved in student
leadership opportunities. Join one of our student organizations
““ there are over 600 of them. Lend a hand in a community
service project. Take a canoeing trip on the Colorado River. Learn
about internship opportunities. Give some thought to spending a
year studying overseas.

Becoming involved outside the classroom certainly takes time and
energy, and we all understand that these kinds of activities should
not compete with or detract from your academic performance. In
fact, they will enhance it. With good management of time, these are
the experiences and the people that will serve to flesh out the
world you find described in your classes and, equally importantly,
help you learn about yourself.

With new freedom and new opportunities, new responsibilities
arrive. At times, these responsibilities can mean new levels of
stress for you. We believe that we have developed appropriate
services to address this. Please do not hesitate to take advantage
of these resources. We have tutorial programs, student health and
psychological services, and many, many more specialized support
options. If you’re not sure about where to go, stop by my
office ““ the Dean of Students’ Office ““ for a
referral. One of the most important responsibilities we have as
educators is to help each of you enjoy a productive and positive
experience at UCLA.

My final item of advice to you is to have fun. Go to athletic
events. Our men’s and women’s teams compete in over a
dozen intercollegiate sports. Work out at the John Wooden Center.
Take recreation classes. Watch for concerts and student cultural
shows. And most importantly, give yourself time to enjoy the beauty
of the campus and the special place we have here in Westwood.

As the newest members of the Bruin family, you are the most
recent links in the splendid tradition of UCLA. You will join
previous classmates spanning more than eight decades as the leaders
of our city, our society and our world. We will do everything
possible to help you prepare to take on that responsibility. That
is the process we are beginning together today.

Congratulations on your enrollment, and best wishes for academic
and personal success.

Naples is the UCLA dean of students and assistant vice
chancellor for student and campus life.