Board’s search for student media director ends
As alumnus, Ward brings experience to publications
By Patrick Kerkstra
Daily Bruin Staff
Members of the associated students’ communications board chose a
new director for campus media on Thursday.
Arvli Ward, who has been serving as temporary student media
director since September, brings a history of experience in student
media to his new position. While a student at UCLA, Ward worked as
editor of the newsmagazine Nommo, and five years ago assumed the
role of newsmagazine adviser.
The communications board’s search for a director began seven
months ago, and during the politically charged process, board
members considered candidates from around the country. But in the
end, board members closed the search to two individuals  Ward
and former student media director, Terence Hsiao.
"The process included accepting applications from around the
country, including UCLA applicants. In this case the members of the
search committee (of the communications board) felt we had two
particularly qualified UCLA applicants," said Jason Stewart, chair
of the communications board.
The student media director serves as the executive authority of
the communications board. Ward will oversee the budgets of all
student media divisions, and take an active part in the business
end of the publications and the campus radio station, KLA.
Ward was awarded the job partly because of his vision for the
future, board members said.
"(Ward) had a very concrete plan about how to adapt the current
media to a changing marketplace and how to use new technology to
create opportunities for students," Stewart said. "He has exciting
ideas about developing KLA and possibly a new television station
and how to make the most of the Internet."
Board members were also hopeful that the new director would
improve relationships among the different UCLA student media.
"Unfortunately student media is too often split among the
various mediums, but I believe Arvli (Ward) will help to fuse the
rifts," said Adam Symson, an undergraduate appointee to the
communications board.
Ward said that much of his work will focus on developing KLA and
the newsmagazines.
"In the next year you’re going to see a lot of specialization
programs. Many of them are going to be aimed at the newsmagazines,
because the Daily Bruin as an institution is more highly evolved
than the other media," Ward said.
Some said the search for a student media director was marred by
internal politics on the communications board and within student
media.
"Both candidates were really good and had outstanding qualities,
but the decision was a politically charged one," Symson said.
Matea Gold, editor in chief of the Daily Bruin, said she hoped
this year’s selection process would not set the tone for future
relationships in student media.
"I’m really disappointed with the political nature of this
search. This was a long process that heightened discord in student
media, and made things uncomfortable for student staff," Gold
said.
However, Hsiao, who was hired as the associated students’
director of business development last September, called the
selection process "fair," and "appropriate."
Some of Ward’s plans include development of the newsmagazines,
creation of scholarship programs and the institution of more
educational opportunities for students in UCLA media.
"We want a fully developed informal school, a mentorship program
to link up students with professional journalists, and we want to
be more active in placing people in internships," Ward said.
Kathy Chin, editor in chief of Pac Ties, was enthusiastic about
the selection of Ward.
"I think he’ll do a great job. He’s been very responsive to the
needs of students because of his background," Chin said.
"He understands the problems of not having sufficient resources,
and I think he’ll be very responsive to that," she added.
Hsiao agreed that Ward was a good candidate for the job.
"I think (Ward) is a very gifted, creative individual who will
bring a lot of talent to the media," he said. "Anybody who is
taking on a new job with a larger scope of responsibility, will
have his ups and downs, but I expect him to succeed."