Every time I walk through Ackerman Union, I feel like I am
walking through the corridors of a hospital.
The tile floor and white walls surround a crush of students as
they bustle through the halls. The Union has a bookstore, a post
office, a barbershop, ATMs and a plethora of food outlets. It hosts
rooms for student group meetings and presents movies in the Grand
Ballroom. But I find myself really only going there with one
purpose: to run quick errands. And despite these conveniences,
Ackerman does not feel like home.
The halls should showcase the different aspects of student life.
The Union could provide a place for students to engage their
creativity ““ and just kick back and relax on a weekend
evening.
The first step is making the space more inviting: Student groups
could work together to decorate the corridors of the second floor
of Ackerman, providing a more lively environment. For example, a
student group trying to promote rain forest awareness may take a
small section of the union and decorate it like a rainforest. Other
areas could use a new paint job, some comfy chairs, some additional
computer stations and a few potted plants.
By developing the halls of the student union, the Associated
Students of UCLA management will provide a more aesthetically
pleasing environment.
That would just be a first step ““ Ackerman Union lacks a
social center. It needs a social club, a place where students can
meet, mix and mingle. Once students move off campus, it becomes
difficult to meet new people. Meeting people in classes can prove
daunting in large lecture halls and even small upper division
courses. Organized student activities ““ such as IM sports or
Grand Ballroom movies ““ are one way to interact with people
of similar interests, but schedules conflict, and these activities
don’t necessarily create a relaxing, social atmosphere.
Ackerman Union should bring a taste of the Los Angeles night
life to the UCLA community. Los Angeles has plenty to offer to its
inhabitants, but taking advantage of those options becomes
extremely difficult without access to a car. And Westwood fails to
provide students with a diverse range of activities. But Ackerman
could become a hub for campus night life.
While a proposal for an on-campus restaurant pub has been put
forward, a pub creates a specific atmosphere that will not entice
all people.
Xcape Arcade, the only social hangout in the Union, does provide
a source of entertainment for many students. However, I often find
myself just running there to get quarters from the change machine
for laundry rather than to enjoy the games. And while the Cooperage
and Ackerman Grand Ballroom have hosted events, these events remain
sporadic. Ackerman Union should open a new venue that consistently
hosts a real variety of activities and events.
The club could showcase the various talents found on the UCLA
campus. Many students play in bands but lack an appropriate venue
in which to perform. Similarly, campus organizations, such as
improv clubs, could entertain students, and cultural groups could
also hold events. Each night could involve a different theme or
activity, catering to a diverse and expansive range of interests.
In one way or another, the club could be a place for every student
on campus.
Ackerman Union has a long way to go before it’s more than
just a mini-mall for students, but it does have the potential to be
a true center for campus life. ASUCLA should look toward improving
the current status of the student union, including the atmosphere
and the available services. Additionally, ASUCLA should investigate
alternate options to the pub proposal and consider developing a
social club that all students will enjoy.
Paganini is a third-year geography and political science
student. E-mail her at cpaganini@media.ucla.edu. Send general
comments to viewpoint@media.ucla.edu.