Ackerman needs community input

I would like to comment on the Oct. 27 editorial
(“Students need to enjoy union, not just use it”)
regarding the shortcomings of Ackerman Union. I agree that Ackerman
Union could improve in its ability to be a social center. ASUCLA is
interested in improving the facility and creating a student union
that is central to student life. But rather than put all the
responsibility on ASUCLA management to make these improvements,
I’d like to appeal to the campus community for additional
ideas to bring life to Ackerman and make it a more vibrant
place.

ASUCLA does have long-term projects that are in the planning
stages to improve the student union ““ including additional
meeting rooms, study lounges and even a pub. Most projects would
need additional funding and would possibility require an increase
in the student union fee. I encourage students, administrators and
student government to support these efforts.

The current $7.50 fee is one of the lowest in the country. But
with all the other current increases in student fees, this is
probably not the year to request an additional increase for the
Ackerman Union.

Still, having activity in Ackerman is indeed in everyone’s
best interest ““ activity adds to the excitement and vibrancy
on campus. So, I’d like to issue an invitation to student
groups to use the Ackerman facility in ways that possibly may not
have been considered before.

Every evening, as I leave work, I am struck by the plethora of
life on campus. Wednesday night a group of women were taking
advantage of the acoustics in the northwest stairwell of Ackerman
Union to practice singing a capella. Often, various student groups
are practicing cultural dance on the McClure Stage. Maybe Ackerman
suffers from the Mediterranean climate the UCLA campus is
privileged to enjoy, but practices and performances of the
appropriate scale could be scheduled in the very visible and
accessible Viewpoint Lounge.

The commons area of the UCLA Store could even be utilized for
appropriate presentations. Last year we asked for volunteers to
read their favorite poetry in the UCLA Store to celebrate National
Poetry Month. From my own college days, I remember an empty study
lounge that typically aired soap operas in the afternoon
transformed one day by a faculty member who threw a birthday party
for Gertrude Stein.

Ackerman Union does have its problems, but the comparison of a
bustling Kerckhoff Coffee House on a Sunday afternoon, and an empty
Terrace Food Court on 1st Floor of Ackerman Union the same
afternoon was a little unfair. While Ackerman might be empty on a
Sunday afternoon, the very same Terrace Food Court is often filled
to capacity at noon on any weekday. This epitomizes the challenge
Ackerman faces as the student union at UCLA.

If the request is to provide intimate gathering spaces, how can
the same space house the large crowds requiring service at peak
times? In fact this particular area of Ackerman does double duty.
Much of the campus community might not be aware that when this area
is not providing space to eat lunch at noon, it is one of four
locations on campus where students can access wireless internet
service. Can we think of ways to transform some of these big areas
so they can the accommodate traffic on the busiest days, and be
intimate spaces during off-hours?

I hope the dialogue to improve Ackerman Union continues. And I
appeal to all parts of the campus community ““ student
government, student groups, student media, faculty, staff and
ASUCLA to think of more creative ways to use the facility and bring
more life to Ackerman.

Perez is the ASUCLA director of marketing.

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