Students have a social responsibility

I have been honored to be your Undergraduate Students Association Council president this past year. I have had the amazing opportunity to see Bruins in action, making a difference on campus and in our community.

I started this year asking the incoming class to be champions of a cause they were passionate about on campus. I end this year asking the outgoing class to be champions of a cause they are passionate about in society.

As I end my term as president and my stay here at UCLA, I have realized that UCLA has a unique language. The language of UCLA can best be conveyed through three words: excellence, empowerment and empathy.

UCLA offers us a wealth of knowledge and experience that allow us to direct our passions and strengths toward meaningful advances in society.

It is with knowledge that we realize that we deserve more from society. It is with empowerment that we will be able to use the resources necessary to improve our condition.

I urge all Bruins to utilize the knowledge they gained here at UCLA and empower themselves to pursue all future endeavors with excellence. Whenever we submit ourselves to excellence, success is inevitable.

Lastly, it is crucial to complement knowledge with sincerity and empathy to realize an alternate reality.

Unfortunately, our reality is tainted with debt, bailouts, cuts in education and a lack of priorities. Education funding is being cut, access to education is hindered, and we are leaving college more aware of the debt we owe on our student loans, rather than the debt we owe to our teachers.

How are we as students and individuals actively organizing around these issues? How will we be remembered ““ as those who advocated or those who were apathetic to their surroundings?

The harsher realities of society have entered Westwood this year with the recognition of homeless students. Homelessness is no longer constricted to Skid Row but now lives on Bruin Walk with Bruins whose parents have been laid off. We must face these new and disturbing realities. I hope that we can empower ourselves to understand these issues, connect with the people involved and pursue solutions.

We, as students and alumni, need to continue standing up for our beliefs and voicing our concerns. I urge all students to stand up against any form of injustice.

Know that you stood for something as a student here at UCLA, as a participant in the L.A. community and as a member of society. Be a conscious contributor to the world.

“The great aim of education is not knowledge but action.” ““ Herbert Spencer

Hosseini was the 2008-2009 USAC president.

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