With the start of each new academic year comes a new opportunity for UCLA and for each of us as individuals to strive for new heights in our aspirations, achievements and conduct.
The Daily Bruin Editorial Board has convened and decided on several areas in which we would like to see improvement on campus. Few of these grievances will be unfamiliar to the public’s conscience of late, but this should not detract from the importance of each.
As the summer’s headlines and broadcast emphasis have testified, there is no occasion like a presidential election to increase the public’s concern for popular whims and political activity. With this being the first election in which most of us can vote and an assuredly revolutionary election regardless of who wins, students should be doing all they can to stay informed and involved in our democratic process.
The onus to keep others involved also falls on student leaders and their various organizations and groups around campus, all of which should be combining efforts to improve voter registration and turnout at UCLA.
While still in the oxygen-starved vein of student political activity, the board wishes to encourage increased but refined student involvement in campus politics. The Undergraduate Students Association Council should be working to move beyond partisan politics with initiative that transcends the fierce dichotomy that has afforded them their power.
Student leaders and UCLA officials alike should be working together to improve ““ or at least prevent the deterioration of ““ long-standing campus priorities including student fees, funding cuts, campus safety and environmental protection efforts.
Students, too, can be taking steps to promote progressive action on these fronts.
Politically motivated campus organizations and their members should work to find more constructive ways of voicing their views and concerns, encouraging open dialog instead of bickering.
Students should keep tabs on USAC activity and push for transparency and legitimacy among student leaders.
Observing and communicating with governing bodies like this and the UC Board of Regents will help ensure that the students’ voices are heard in discussions that influence and decide the cost of attending UCLA.
Groups such as Environmental Bruins have pushed hard on administrators to provide more environmentally friendly resources, services and facilities for students, and to a greater extent, these individuals have responded.
More efficient and more practical public transportation has become available in Westwood and around Los Angeles; recycling facilities are more conveniently accessible to students around campus; buildings and other campus facilities are being renovated and re-thought to maximize resource efficiency.
Students should do all they can to utilize these resources, validating our requests and acting on the ethics behind these campus initiatives.