Young issues Prop. 187 statement
Chancellor makes commitment to campus diversity
By Jennifer K. Morita
Chancellor Charles Young issued a statement Tuesday reiterating
the university decision to uphold a temporary restraining order
that puts a halt on Proposition 187 until federal courts clarify
its constitutionality.
Responding to 26 protesters who were arrested during a sit-in
earlier this month, Young met with a small group of students last
week and agreed to issue a statement about Proposition 187, the
controversial anti-illegal immigration measure that passed by an
overwhelming margin in the Nov. 8 election.
"It is important for all members of the campus community to
understand that no one is to be denied student or medical services
of any kind based on immigration status, and no one is to be asked
to prove immigration status in order to receive appropriate
services," Young said in the statement.
He added that the university takes pride in UCLA’s
diversity.
Student activists said they were encouraged by Young’s words,
though the statement wasn’t as decisive as they would have
preferred.
"We didn’t expect it to be very strong," said York Chang,
undergraduate external vice president. "It’s not as strong as we
would’ve liked, but the chancellor is taking a step in the right
direction. It’s important that he responded to the climate on
campus."
Chang said he wanted the chancellor to address the tense climate
on campus. According to Chang, his office has received about 20
harassment complaints. "Students have been harassed by other
students, who feel empowered since Proposition 187 passed. They’ve
been harassed based on the fact that their skin is a different
color.
"It’s important that Chancellor Young took a step in letting
people know that harassment on the basis of race won’t be tolerated
at this university," Chang said.
Alyssa Kang, a member of the Asian Pacific Coalition who was
among those students meeting with Young, added that she is
concerned about what will happen if federal courts decide that
Proposition 187 is constitutional.
"I feel that if (the university) complies with Prop. 187 it will
definitely have a major negative impact on campus," Kang said. "We
wanted a statement of non-compliance. We still want the university
to really break ground by taking a stance against 187 Â to
take a stance of noncompliance and refuse to follow 187 because it
is unconstitutional and it is so dangerous."
She added that UCLA should not comply if it means to stay true
to its commitment to diversity.
But others students disagreed.
"I think that UCLA has to uphold the law regardless of what
happens," said Kristine Dulmage, a third-year English major. "I
think that it’s important to allow people to express their
concerns, but there’s a balance."
Samuel Kashani, a fourth-year biology student said he agrees
with everything in Young’s statement.
"Right now they’ve put a stop on the issue, but if it passes
Âalthough I’m not for Prop. 187 Â the university has to
uphold it," Kashani said.
Chang said the next step for his office is to create a place for
students to discuss Proposition 187 and come forward with any
harassment complaints. For now, he said he is satisfied with
Young’s statement.
"It’s a small but concrete victory coming out of the meeting
with Chancellor Young," Chang said.