EDITOR’S NOTE: The letter regarding
Bruins United candidate for Student Welfare Commissioner Myles Hamby has been removed because the letter’s claims were based on a misquote regarding Hamby’s role in the Cultural Affairs Commission (<a href=”http://dailybruin.ucla.edu/stories/2009/apr/29/serve-pushes-house-candidates/”>”SERVE pushes in-house candidates,”</a> April 29, 2009).
Rogel has abilities to be USAC president
When evaluating slates running for positions in the undergraduate student government elections, presidential candidates are a good place to start. These leaders often define the values and goals of the slates as a whole.
Bruins United proudly stands behind presidential candidate Jesse Rogel, a progressive leader with a remarkable record of leading the charge to implement important change on the UCLA campus.
Like all of the candidates on the Bruins United slate, Rogel has the experience to prove that he can bring people together for the improvement of our campus community.
As chair of the students’ association board of directors, Rogel was absolutely the strongest and most effective advocate for reducing textbook prices by $650,000, which he accomplished by building meaningful partnerships with graduate students, management and the administration. This willingness to work with others is an enduring theme in Rogel’s leadership style.
As chief of staff to the USAC internal vice president last year, he worked with the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and prominent radio and television outlets on the Virginia Tech Memorial at UCLA to cultivate awareness and advocacy for increased mental health services on campus and gun safety.
Rogel, like Bruins United as a whole, stands for bringing students and other entities together. This ability to transcend the healthy diversity of backgrounds and opinions at UCLA is what makes Bruins United the only party that is inclusive of all students in the interest of making this campus a better place.
Dianne Tanjuaquio
USAC internal vice president, 2007″‘2008
UCLA Class of 2008
SWC should be slate”‘free: Vote Wu
It came as a surprise to me that Bruins United is challenging for the seat of the Student Welfare commissioner. However, what intrigues me is that a slate would go after an office that has been, and should remain, independent throughout its existence.
It is a place where individuals of different backgrounds and beliefs come together to work on general issues important to students. It is one of the parts of USAC that is meant to stay out of politics and be drama-free.
I have never met Lucy Wu, but she is the candidate chosen by people of the SWC to represent the commission in the coming year.
As for Myles Hamby, he might be a great guy, but I don’t believe he understood the needs of SWC when he decided to run under the Bruins United name.
If he really wanted to keep SWC out of politics, then why not run during the in-house election? Why wait until now? Does he not understand that no matter what happens, everybody loses in the SWC by his decision?
As someone who used to be heavily involved on that side of slate politics, I should be happy. However, I am not, because the tension created by the support of Students First! would ultimately hurt the commission.
I don’t think I need to say more about what would happen if Hamby took the win. For a guy who thinks he’ll be good for SWC, I ask the question, “Are you sure you’re not just doing this for yourself and the slate you represent?”
Essentially, I ask voters to support and believe in Wu not for reason of politics but rather that she has the best wishes of the commission at heart. The SWC believes in her, and so should you.
Shawn Chuong Do
Program coordinator, UCLA Anderson School of Management
UCLA Class of 2007
Former SWC E-Board member
Greek member Ward an ideal candidate
The negative stereotype of the Greek community being uninterested in civil engagement is simply incorrect.
The Bruins United slate is running six Greek organization members for prominent positions in USAC, including Megan Ward, the Bruins United candidate for the external vice president’s office who is also an active member of her sorority and served on Panhellenic’s executive board last year.
Working on behalf of the Greek community, Ward recognized the serious safety risks facing students living in not-for-profit housing entities and lobbied 11 members of the House and Senate for the College Housing and Infrastructure Act.
Ward’s service to the school extends beyond those of us wearing Greek letters. She has already taken great strides to improve student life, including meeting with the faculty representative on the UC Board of Regents and the chair of the UC Academic Senate to facilitate conversations for lower textbook prices.
As external vice president, Ward can only become a more powerful advocate for the student body. In addition to maintaining a professional and sympathetic face in our relations with regents and state legislators, Ward remains committed to important off-campus safety issues such as improving lighting and pavement in our neighborhoods.
As a student leader who has worked with her closely and seen her commitment to service and advocacy, I am excited that we have the opportunity to elect Megan Ward as our next USAC external vice president.
Katie Frost
Panhellenic president
Third-year, political science
Wu and Tsai reacted unprofessionally
In reading the Viewpoint column “Wu has needed commission experience” (May 5), Connor Fitzpatrick points out how qualified Lucy Wu is to run the Student Welfare Commission over Myles Hamby.
If Wu is so qualified to lead SWC, then why did Fitzpatrick or anyone in the Daily Bruin fail to mention the actual reaction that both Wu and current Student Welfare Commissioner Jonathan Tsai after it was announced that Hamby was running?
In the days following the announcement there were a number of e-mails that were sent out to the SWC listserv, including one which read: “Imagine losing your funds for your committee or imagine the possibility of your committee ceasing to exist.” (Hamby said he will keep all committees).
At one point, Wu even sent out a letter to the commission saying that she wanted to keep track of people that helped her out during the election and if there were people applying for positions in SWC, that helping her would be a good way to get yourself noticed.
As a former member of the Run/Walk committee, I was disappointed in the way both Wu and Tsai acted in the days following the announcement because it showed that she really doesn’t have the leadership to run a commission.
Chris Flores
Second-year, political science
PLEDGE provides necessary resources
I am in no way connected to the PLEDGE referendum campaign. I am writing as a fellow student to encourage you to vote “Yes” on PLEDGE.
When I first came to UCLA as a third-year transfer student, I felt lost and alone. I had just moved to Los Angeles and didn’t know anybody here.
Coming from a low-income background and struggling due to the absence of my biological parents, I was finding it difficult to make ends meet. After a month here, I had nobody to turn to for advice or assistance. The situation began to feel hopeless, and I felt as if I was slipping through the cracks, and worse, that nobody around me even noticed or cared.
This did not change until I stumbled upon the Student Retention Center’s Writing Success Program and met the late Janet Brown, the head of the program. Janet became one of my most valuable friends and mentors at UCLA. When I was nearly forced to drop out of school due to financial issues, Janet stepped in and dedicated her personal time to helping me resolve my problems. For the first time since arriving at UCLA, I felt like someone truly cared for me and was willing to step in to make a difference in my life
I would like to urge all of you to vote “Yes” on the PLEDGE initiative. We need retention programs such as the Writing Success Program, which focus on maintaining the success of our students. I will graduate in June with the highest honors. This would never have been possible without assistance from Janet, the Writing Success Program, and the other retention services that students like me use.
Aleksandr Katsnelson
Fourth-year, political science
Flores’ dedication makes her QUALIFIED
In my first State of the University Address, shortly before Barack Obama was announced the next president, I encouraged students to get involved in their communities. My second University Address coincided with the dedication of the Peace Pole. The third one, during BruINTENT, sought to empower students to be proactive and help those in need.
Cinthia Flores, the presidential candidate for QUALIFIED, has embodied all the values reflected in those moments when I had the opportunity to address the campus community.
Flores’ dedication is refreshing and serves as an exemplary inspiration for the type of student leader this campus needs. She dedicates much of her time to spread awareness about issues important to her and the greater community.
Flores’s qualifications are better displayed not in her resume or campaign Web site, but in her compassionate demeanor, honest commitment to impactful work and undying positive energy.
I encourage you all to find Cinthia Flores on Bruin Walk today and see for yourselves what I’m talking about. I am confident in her abilities and that you will cast a vote for her as president, the most QUALIFIED candidate.
Homaira Hosseini
USAC President
Fourth-year, political science