Dump the “Dump Dorrell” campaign
As a UCLA student and Bruin faithful, I’ve been rather embarrassed by the efforts of the “Dump Dorrell” campaign.
Not only have they made themselves loud and clear by means of sports talk radio, Web sites, blogs and so on, but now they have found it necessary to take out ads in the Daily Bruin.
Luckily, their original plan to put a “Dump Dorrell” billboard near Westwood was thwarted because of a lack of money.
This issue has turned from a simple discussion into a full-on obsession.
Sadly, what has been lost in the chaos is the original driving force: our love for UCLA and Bruin athletics.
If everyone on this campaign truly cared for UCLA football as much as they claim to, would they really publicly trash the very same program and its coach?
By saying that the ad was paid for by “UCLA students,” along with several other groups, the ad sends out the message that students support this cause.
I would never treat someone the way these people have treated another person, let alone a fellow Bruin alumnus.
Anthony Stier
Fourth-year, Geography and environmental studies
Not all AAP students receive priority
The editorial “Enrollment times need to be reevaluated” (Nov. 2) highlights a very important issue that needs to be addressed.
It implies that all of the students in the Academic Advancement Program receive priority enrollment.
I would like to point out that this is not the case.
It is impossible to give everyone in AAP priority enrollment because of the large number of students (more than 6,000) the program serves.
However, we do provide priority enrollment to eligible AAP students based on a variety of factors, including challenges to their academic standing, financial obligations, family obligations and other extenuating circumstances.
Priority enrollment is granted based upon the assessment of each student’s needs and verifiable documentation.
Students are screened each quarter and priority enrollment is viewed as a retention tool.
Preferential enrollment is not given automatically to all AAP students.
In fact, only a very small percentage of AAP students receive priority enrollment.
Maybe it is time to reevaluate priority enrollment for all of the programs that were mentioned in the article so it benefits those students who need it most.
Charles J. Alexander
Director of AAP,Associate vice provost for student diversity
Keep the Bruin bare for spirit week
As a proud UCLA alumnus and current season ticket holder for football and basketball, I’d like to take a moment to comment on Blue and Gold Week, beginning with the Bruin statue.
Will the English majors and grammatically gifted join me in wincing at the phrase “Bruin Bear?”
This redundancy is Trojan-esque in its folly and the equivalent of writing “tuna fish.”
“Bruin” is a noun that means bear, not an adjective describing a type of bear.
Ergo, it can stand alone in a sentence.
But why are we covering up our precious Bruin?
If it means so much to us, man up and guard him 24 hours a day this week.
If fans at Duke can spend January and February living in a virtual tent city in support of their team, can’t we spend a week guarding the Bruin?
Shouldn’t we openly showcase our pride and joy in our school during what we consider the most triumphant week of the year?
Mark Hersberger
Class of 2001