Wednesday, 5/21/97 Social outlets make large campus feel more
intimate Venues, study groups, clubs can help break down
barriers
By Monica Alvarez Daily Bruin Contributor So many people, so
little time. Or is that so much time and so few people? With well
over 30,000 students roaming the large UCLA campus, it takes extra
effort for students to form friendships and romantic relationships.
Some students have found that classes, hangouts, sports and work
are ways to meet new people. Students who do not have the chance to
meet friends through on-campus housing depend mostly on classes and
campus hangouts, according to commuting students. "Since I live at
home, I didn’t have the chance to meet friends through the dorms or
apartments. I have met all my close friends through classes and
study groups that we formed with the students we regularly sat
around in lecture," said second-year psychology student Lucinda
Burns. "It is sometimes hard to just start talking to the person
that is sitting next to you, but after being around them for weeks,
it is nice to know who they are rather than just what they look
like." Putting names with faces takes place not only in classrooms
but in areas where students can go when they want to study or just
relax. Snacking on a bagel and drink from Kerckhoff Coffeehouse,
David Romestch, fourth-year history student, agreed that campus
locations are good places to meet people. "One time I was studying
at one of the outside tables around Kerckhoff and this girl asked
me if one of the seats at my table was taken," said Romestch with a
smile. "The seat was quickly made available for her and I realized
we had the same reader. We started talking about the class, found
out we were both history majors, and thought it would be cool to
study together. I met her in Fall Quarter and we are still really
close friends." Students with common interests and goals can join
clubs and organizations to meet people who share the same views.
There are hundreds of clubs on campus that meet over subjects
ranging from religion to community service to finding people to
play soccer with. Nyssa Roeth, a first-year undeclared student, has
found many friends through her participation in Intervarsity, a
Christian fellowship on campus. "I have meet some of the greatest
people through Intervarsity. Our groups take place in comfortable
settings where friendships can flourish and no one has to compete
for recognition or frivolous titles. Because we are all students,
we support each other during stressful times and always have
someone to talk to who understands what we are going through." Like
clubs and organizations which bring students with similar interests
together, athletic programs do the same. Student athletes are
challenged with rigorous schedules which take up most of their
lives, leaving little or no time for anything outside athletics.
For this reason, many of their friendships and relationships are
made with athletes as well. Through her athletic tutoring group,
Heather Teagle, first-year English student and member of the swim
team, not only gets helpful hints for class but also a chance to
spend time with her "special someone." "Tutoring sessions allow
students-athletes to keep up with class work despite demanding
workout and competition schedules," Teagle added. "I have been
given the chance to meet amazingly talented and focused athletes."
As far as meeting her current boyfriend, Teagle felt an instant
connection when he first approached her. "We first met going over
some notes during a session and then it became going over some
notes over dinner. As athletes, we both felt an initial similarity
in the stress and emphasis placed on achieving our goals. We both
know how the other feels and can therefore better support each
other because we have similar schedules and demands." Campus jobs
geared toward student employees and customer service allow students
to not only interact with the public but at the same time develop
friendships with fellow employees. These student workers can easily
relate to their co-workers because they are all students who have
the same concerns and experiences. Jonathan Tang, a fourth-year
history student, and Michelle Macasero, a third-year psychology
student with a specialization in Asian American studies, met while
working at UCLA Parking Services. "I first met Michelle when we
were given a ride home by a mutual friend after work. She was a new
employee who caught my attention when she first introduced herself
to me in the car. After that I made sure to always remember her
name," said Tang, with a smile. "I knew Jonathan’s last name was
Tang and would look on the schedule to see when and where he was
working. I always hoped we would work together because when we did,
we would always have a great time," said Macasero. Although Tang
and Macasero are dating, they are aware of the importance of
separating their personal lives from work. "We come to work to
work," said Macasero, "as long as we remain professional to
continue our jobs, there is no problem." Students can meet friends
and that "special someone" through many venues on campus. A simple
smile or hello can open up the doors to endless friendships which
can lead to relationships – all it takes is a little courage and
sometimes a little luck. Previous Daily Bruin stories: Absence
makes the heart grow fonder Color lines not a barrier to equality
in interracial relationships