Tuesday, June 2, 1998
Checchi makes campus visit, voices concerns on education
POLITICS: Candidate denounces Prop. 209, addresses financial
aid
By Andy Shah
Daily Bruin Contributor
On the eve of the state primary, gubernatorial candidate Al
Checchi tried to bag the student vote with a campaign stop at
UCLA.
Checchi walked from Ackerman Union to Lu Valle Commons with his
wife, Kathy, answering students’ and reporters’ questions on
education, the "Three Strikes" law and financial aid.
Many people were concerned with Proposition 209, which
eliminated race, ethnicity and gender as admissions criteria.
"Prop. 209 is a tragedy," he said. "All affirmative action does
is compensate for the effects of discrimination."
If elected, he said that he would repeal Proposition 209 and
appoint UC Regents who "feel that the quality of education is a
function of diversity."
He voiced his lack of support for Proposition 227, which would
eliminate many bilingual education programs.
He also opposes Proposition 226, which would require labor
unions to get the permission of each member before using union dues
for political contributions.
Another concern Checchi addressed was rising tuition costs and
financial aid. Checchi said that economic background should not be
a barrier to higher education.
He went on to say that financial aid should be a combination of
scholarships, grants, loans and work.
In addition to education, Checchi emphasized that prevention
programs are essential to deterring illegal acts.
But Checchi’s walk through campus was not accompanied by many
students.
"This ain’t like the ’60s, when students were more politicized,"
he joked.