Letters to the editor

USAC appointments the best for the job

Although it’s not a surprise to me that the Daily Bruin
editorial staff has once again decided to negatively spin another
student council issue, the Jan. 13 editorial (“New funding
committee lacks fresh perspective”) goes even further to
completely misinterpret the issue.

Plain and simple, the appointments to the Constitutional Review
Committee this year were done with the purpose of rectifying
important issues in our budget process. To review issues of the
budget in as thorough and knowledgeable a manner as possible, I
recommended that we appoint those members who were the most
qualified to review the Undergraduate Students Association Council
funding processes ““ our Budget Review director, our Finance
Committee chair and two members of the Budget Review Committee. To
me and an overwhelming majority of council, this seemed
logical.

This issue, reviewing the constitution and bylaws, is about
getting the job done the best way possible by putting the best
people in charge of leading the committee. Because it is an open
committee, there is no issue with denying anyone’s potential
perspective ““ period. Also, all recommendations by the
committee are subject to USAC review and approval.

In regard to the alleged conflict of interest, I believe the
editorial board’s claim is absurd. Members of the Budget
Review Committee put in an extraordinary amount of work to make
this year’s base budget process comprehensive and, while
intricate, as fair as possible. That The Bruin’s editorial
staff still has trouble grasping the intricacies of that process
perhaps is due to a few of the members failing at times to pay
attention during the Budget Review Committee’s budget
presentation and asking no questions whatsoever at the end of
it.

Finally, I believe the fact that a few groups presented concerns
and recommendations for changes in the process was an invaluable
learning experience that the committee will utilize when reviewing
the bylaws. I have full faith that the work the Constitutional
Review Committee will produce will prove to be just as amazing as
their previous endeavors. I expect the council to examine and
discuss its work as thoroughly as it has before when the time comes
to hear the committee’s recommendations.

Allende Palma/Saracho USAC president

Ignorance shows need for diversity

Coming from a homogeneous, wealthy area, my experience at UCLA
has been eye-opening. Yet I still know little of what so many other
cultures have to offer, so I know that I must continue to improve
my knowledge of diversity. It disturbs me to see that some people
do not.

In his letter to the editor on Jan. 11, Rodrigo Diaz de Viva
called the diversity requirement “unnecessary.” He also
suggested it would be “sticking bored kids in a lecture hall
to listen to things they don’t care about.” This
assumption is offensive to students who are here to get a
well-rounded education. It is also direct evidence that the
diversity requirement is necessary, in that it shows how some
students write off diversity as something not worth their time.

Jamie Julin Third-year, mathematics and applied
science

“˜Racist’ accusation ridiculous

In a Jan. 12 interview with the Daily Bruin, USAC Academic
Affairs commissioner Eligio Martinez confirms what many have
already known to be true: The diversity requirement is merely an
attempt by race-based special interest groups to impose their views
on the rest of the student population. By calling those who voted
against the requirement racist, Martinez has played the race card
as many others have done before. The notion that the professors who
voted down the requirement are sending the message that minorities
do not belong at UCLA is ridiculous. Martinez has offended not only
those faculty members, but also many students who oppose the
requirement on practical grounds.

Perhaps it is time for Martinez and USAC to respect the
diversity of opinions on campus and not slander everyone who
opposes their special interest-dominated agenda. Instead of pushing
the requirement until the other side gives in, USAC should focus on
issues that are truly important to all students. Only then will
USAC shed its damaged reputation and get the attention it
deserves.

Patrick Lam Third-year, political science