It’s 1:30 in the morning. Temperatures have dropped into
the 40s, and the wind howls through Bruin Plaza.
Usually at this time of night UCLA is empty.
But this week there is a group of students playing frisbee and
eating pizza in Bruin Plaza in the middle of the night like it is
just another sunny Southern California afternoon.
They call themselves the Bruin Bear security force, a group of
students who brave the elements all night long in order to defend
the symbol of UCLA’s pride and honor.
The group guards the Bruin Bear statue each night during Blue
and Gold Week ““ the celebration of Bruin pride leading up the
UCLA-USC football game, formerly known as Beat ‘SC Week
““ to prevent pranks or vandalism by USC students.
“This is our mascot. It represents UCLA. We show loyalty
to our school by defending the symbol of our pride,” said
Arthur Nava, a third-year English and art student, who camped out
last year as well.
The security force begins its watch at 10 p.m. each night and
stays until 7 a.m. the next morning. Though sleeping bags are
strewn around and a blue and gold tent has been assembled, few
students spend the night sleeping.
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“The more time I sleep, the less time I spend guarding the
bear,” said Nava, who said he did not sleep at all during his
watch Monday night.
Last year, university police were called when a trash can near
the Bruin Bear caught on fire, which may have been done by USC
students as a prank, said PC Zai, Undergraduate Students
Association Council facilities commissioner, but there have been no
such incidents reported so far this year.
Students began camping out in front of the bear last year as a
way to foster school spirit for the UCLA-USC football game. The
campout was led by student government officers and was continued
this year under the guidance of USAC, Zai said.
Zai said the idea came from the annual campout held on the USC
campus that draws hundreds of students each night to guard the
statue of their mascot, Tommy Trojan.
“It’s a good way to show campus spirit and
dedication other than through the traditional ways, such as spirit
squad or The Den,” she said.
Members of the security force said they stay motivated despite
the cold weather and long hours, because they are encouraging UCLA
pride.
“School spirit is an essential part of being a
student,” said Jesse Rogel, a second-year global studies
student.
Some said they were disappointed that the level of school pride
fluctuates according to sports seasons and whether Bruin sports
teams are winning.
Rogel said he believes it is hard for UCLA to maintain high
levels of school spirit because the university is so large.
“(UCLA) is a big school, and it’s hard to reach
people, especially people who live elsewhere,” he said.
Rogel added that students who participate in outside activities
within the L.A. area also find it difficult to know what events are
happening at UCLA.
But minor challenges such as the weather and low numbers of
participants have not put a damper on the enthusiasm and excitement
of the security force.
Members of the security force said they are glad to help carry
on a UCLA tradition, hoping it will last for years to come.
Zai said she has enjoyed guarding the bear for the past two
years, because she knows she has formed a stronger connection to
UCLA while starting a tradition.
“People should graduate feeling like a Bruin,” Zai
said.