The unpredictability of college life showed up in a variety of ways throughout this past academic year, and as the year ends, the Editorial Board takes a look back at the best of times and the worst of times at UCLA.
Top three:
1. “13-9″
Before this year, you would have had to go back to the Class of 2002 to meet anyone who saw the most recent football victory against USC. The Bruins last won in 1998, when those former students would have been freshmen.
But after last season’s 66-19 defeat, UCLA was looking for revenge.
As Trojan quarterback John David Booty’s final pass was deflected with the final seconds ticking, the Rose Bowl erupted with screams and shouts as the Bruins defeated the formerly championship-bound Trojans, 13-9.
2. Addressing admissions
Though the jury is still out on how effective the new “holistic” admission process will affect the university’s admissions in the long run, UCLA made great strides by addressing community concerns about the decline in minority admissions since the passage of Proposition 209.
3. The year of Abrams
Though he could have simply filled the void until a new chancellor could be put in place, Abrams took the reins at UCLA with full force and led the university through some turbulent times .
He spearheaded the movement for holistic admissions, and was quick to respond to big problems that arose, such as the threats made to UCLA researchers, and to initiate the independent investigation into the Taser incident at Powell Library.
Bottom three:
1. The Taser incident
Of all the things that made national news this year, the Taser incident in November was certainly the worst for the university. And thanks to the power of YouTube, thousands had a front-row seat to watch university police using a Taser on a student who didn’t want to leave the library.
Not only did UCPD receive heat for how they overreacted to the incident, but suddenly the whole world was watching.
2. Personal-data breach
In December, the Social Security numbers, addresses and contact information of about 800,000 people were compromised when a hacker broke into a university database.
This was one of the biggest break-ins of its kind. When the university’s outdated systems put almost a million people at risk of identity theft, we can only hope those in charge have rushed to plug all the remaining holes.
3. Response to crime
Minor crimes seemed to plague Westwood all year. The “bear hugger,” the “peeper” and repeated muggings all jeopardized the safety of the student body this year, and unfortunately, the police have been unable to resolve many of these crimes.
With its final words to the Bruin community, this Editorial Board says fare thee well, UCLA, and looks forward to another year of headlines and news-makers here in the Hills of Westwood.