Letters to the editor

Deadline extension best for budget

To ensure all student groups are notified about the new budget
process and have adequate time to prepare their proposals, the
budget deadline was extended to July 22. When the Budget Review
Committee became privy to the changes to funding eligibility, we
immediately began discussing solutions.

One such solution was extending the deadline to October, when
new student organizations register. But existing organizations
cannot operate on transitional budgets until October, and this
option did not comply with Undergraduate Students Association
Council bylaws.

We considered setting aside funds for a second funding cycle,
but this would be problematic. We would be forced to set aside
money based on uncertain estimates, which would not allow us to
meet organizations’ needs equitably.

The council discussed whether money could be set aside in the
contingency pool of funds, in addition to a deadline extension, so
student organizations would have more opportunities to apply for
funding. But this would require changing the bylaws quickly for it
to be effective for the clubs for the coming year.

The two-week deadline extension is the best solution available
for this year. The USAC general representatives, the Finance
Committee chair and I are also planning to hold programming
workshops to further educate and reach out to groups. There also
will be increased publicity about the alternative funding sources
in October.

USAC has been working hard to make sure policies comply with
funding guidelines. It has been a joint effort from USAC President
Allende Palma/Saracho and all of the council, whose members work in
making these changes so all groups can provide opportunities to
better students’ educational experience at UCLA.

Tracy Ohara Budget review director

Reagan name ironic choice for hospital

As governor of California for two terms Ronald Reagan cut state
welfare and medical services, putting many mental patients out on
the street. He also cut aid to public schools and higher education,
creating damage that extended to the University of California
system.

What disgusting irony ““ naming a hospital for a person who
brought untold misery to thousands by closing hospitals. UCLA is
naming a university building for someone who was an enemy of higher
education.

Leonard Auslender UCLA alumnus