Chancellor Albert Carnesale advocated the use of race and
ethnicity in admissions and warned that the effects of state budget
cuts are only beginning in a press conference with the Daily Bruin
on Friday.
Carnesale reiterated his belief in the importance of diversity
on campus and that UCLA is disadvantaged in being prohibited by law
to take race or ethnicity into account in admissions.
“By far, the most effective way to achieve (diversity)
until the playing field really is leveled is by taking into account
the realities of race and ethnicity,” he said.
Carnesale said he believes outreach programs at high schools
with low-income minority students are the most effective way of
enhancing diversity.
“Outreach programs really can help, and they are the
long-term solution,” he said, adding that affirmative action
is only a temporary solution.
Despite their effectiveness, outreach programs are scheduled to
be cut in Gov. Gray Davis’ budget proposal, though Carnesale
does not anticipate this.
“I don’t believe that will actually happen in the
end because I don’t believe the legislature will do
that,” he said.
Addressing budget woes, Carnesale explained that the most recent
cuts did not damage quality of instruction but rather hurt students
by replacing the funds with increased student fees.
The proposed budget cuts are not yet set for the coming year,
but Carnesale said the various proposals all project substantial
cuts and that it is reasonable to assume there will be more in the
future.
To protect various student services, he said the university is
trying to make cuts that do not affect the quality of programs, for
example by putting information on the Web rather than printing
flyers, and cutting down on celebrations, “none of which were
excessive,” he said.
Carnesale also said he felt the plan to increase housing fees to
build additional dorms is justified.
“I believe it’s the right thing to do to the extent
that we can provide more housing on campus,” he said.
“Having an opportunity for students to spend some of their
time on campus is a valuable asset.”
Carnesale said UCLA will try to mitigate the disadvantages of
construction noise and cost, but maintained that UCLA is still the
best deal in higher education, given the advantages of being at a
large research university.
He also talked about the difficulty he has staying in touch with
students, which he has tried to alleviate by giving lectures,
having receptions for students and holding office hours.
With the end of the war in Iraq declared, Carnesale said he was
proud of the way the UCLA community handled itself during the war
and since Sept. 11, 2001.
He said the goals he announced for the campus after Sept. 11 to
ensure safety, maintain the university as a forum for rational
discourse and provide a beacon of tolerance and respect, all
continued to be fulfilled before and during the conflict.
Carnesale was pleased with the efficiency of emergency
management reforms by the university.
He was also impressed with the success of seminars and panel
discussions, and by the respect students showed for others’
views during pro- and anti-war forums and demonstrations.
“Everybody associated with UCLA has the right to be proud
of how they and the institution they represent has dealt with these
times,” he said.