Wednesday, October 30, 1996
Proposition 209 debate
to feature chancellor
A debate on the merits of Proposition 209, the controversial
ballot measure that would ban affirmative action programs in state
government, will be held at 4 p.m. today in the James West Alumni
Center.
Moderated by Warren Olney, host of KCRW’s "Which Way L.A.," the
debate features UCLA Chancellor Charles E. Young and National
Association for the Advancement of Colored People regional counsel
Constance Rice.
Young and Rice will face off against two vice chairs of the Yes
on 209 Campaign, attorney Manuel S. Klausner and entrepreneur Errol
Smith.
The debate will offer a unique opportunity to explore one of the
year’s most controversial issues one week before the Tuesday
election. A question-and-answer period will follow the debate.
Supporters of the initiative contend that it is time to end the
regime of race- and sex-based quotas. They believe that the goal of
the 1964 Civil Rights Act  to create equality before the law
 has twisted into government-sanctioned discrimination.
Dissenters, though, believe the initiative will only shut the
doors of opportunity to minorities and women by creating legal
standards which may permit discrimination.
Hillel commemorates Rabin assassination
In a nonpolitical, nonpartisan effort, Hillel members invited
the UCLA and Los Angeles communities to observe the first of yearly
commemorations, the Yahrzaeit, of the assassination of the prime
minister of Israel.
Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated last October  a year ago
today under the Jewish calendar  by an ultra-right Israeli
who opposed his "Peace for Land" policies.
The 4:30 p.m. commemoration will be held at Janss Steps and
includes poetry and music, and those in attendance are encouraged
to share their own poems and songs.
For more information, call Hillel at (310) 208-3081.
Undergraduate council condemns Prop. 209
The Undergraduate Student Association Council on Tuesday
overwhelmingly approved a resolution decrying the controversial
Proposition 209 and announcing its support of affirmative
action.
The resolution was sponsored by council President John Du,
general representative Dora Cervantes and Academic Affairs
Commissioner Max Espinoza.
"Whereas the population of the United States, particularly
California, is the most racially diverse in the world … be it
resolved that USAC reaffirms its support for affirmative action
programs; and further be it resolved that USAC condemns Proposition
209," the resolution states.
Council members said the resolution was a way to officially show
their support for affirmative action.
Although last year’s predominantly Students First! council
passed a resolution condemning the decision of the UC regents to
end affirmative action, this year’s resolution focuses primarily on
Proposition 209.
The council, claiming that Proposition 209 "will threaten
programs such as the Academic Advancement Program, Women’s Resource
Center, Outreach Programs, Retention Programs, and Student Advocacy
Groups and … will expand gender discrimination," urges students
to vote "no" on the initiative on Tuesday.
Compiled from Daily Bruin staff reports.Comments from housing
officials were inadvertently deleted from the Tuesday story "Food
fighters make their advances."
While housing officials have no current plans to bring back the
meal coupon program, officials say they are considering their
options and will render a decision on the matter by the first day
of Winter Quarter 1997.
The Bruin regrets the error.