UCLA suffered a tragic loss with the death of Cynthia Rabuy, a
highly respected and revered student leader who was killed
Wednesday night in a traffic collision. She was 23.
Rabuy served as both chair and vice-chair on the board of
directors for the Associated Students of UCLA for the last two
years. She was also the financial supports commissioner on the
Undergraduate Students Association Council during the 2000-2001
term.
According to the California Highway Patrol, Rabuy’s car
was struck by another vehicle on the southbound 405 Freeway near
the Washington Boulevard off-ramp just before midnight
Wednesday.
The CHP also reported that the driver who collided with
Rabuy’s car was driving while intoxicated and did not make
any evasive action to avoid her car. This driver, who survived the
incident, was treated for his injuries and booked by the Los
Angeles Police Department for vehicular manslaughter. An
investigation is currently pending.
Relatives emphasized UCLA’s influence on Rabuy’s
life, where she devoted countless hours of her time serving
students.
“We want to thank everyone at UCLA for touching her life
and allowing her to be in their’s,” said Andrew Beall,
Rabuy’s brother-in-law with whom she lived.
Several teary-eyed students, Rabuy’s peers and colleagues,
collected in front of Kerckhoff Hall around noon to inform each
other of the their friend’s death and to console one
another.
Evan Okamura served on USAC with Rabuy in 2000-2001 as external
vice president, and wanted students who did not know her to realize
how important she was to campus.
“She worked her whole career helping the UCLA community on
USAC and on the board of directors,” he said. “She was
definitely one who gave her all for UCLA and students.”
Rabuy was in her fifth-year, having entered UCLA during winter
1999. She was expected to graduate at the end of this quarter after
completing education and public policy minors. She already
completed the coursework for her English degree last quarter.
“She was a brilliant person; she will be missed
terribly,” said Marlo Beall, Rabuy’s sister.
Rabuy was also involved in Samahang Pilipino, with which she was
practicing Wednesday night for the group’s annual Pilipino
Culture Night.
Berky Nelson, director for the Center for Student Programming
who served as an administrative representative on USAC during
Rabuy’s term, described her ability to keep calm during what
were often contentious council meetings.
“I can recall sitting next to her … and admiring her
even temper, listening ability and respect for her thought process
once she spoke,” Nelson said. “She was always dedicated
to the welfare of others; she cannot be replaced.”
Rabuy’s ASUCLA colleagues asserted that she did the right
thing, “even in difficult circumstances. Her desire to
include all voices in discussion was a character trademark, said
ASUCLA executive director Patricia Eastman.
“Whether she was chairing a meeting or talking one-on-one,
Cindy went out of her way to be sure that all perspectives were
heard and respected,” she said.
Randy Hall ““ Rabuy’s successor as board chairman
““ said her work was always selfless.
“She was a true leader in every sense of the word,”
Hall said. “Not because of any prestige she got from her
work, but because she honestly enjoyed helping people.”
Rabuy was supposed to attend a board of directors meeting today,
and for many members her absence will set the tone for it.
“It’s a wake-up call,” said Reem Salahi, a
student member of the board.
Rabuy was the fourth member of her family to attend UCLA. She
followed sisters Marlo, a 1997 undergraduate and 2000 graduate
alumna, and Carla, a 1999 undergraduate alumna.
Her campus involvement closely followed that of her aunt, Maria
Rabuy Inciong, who served as USAC executive vice president in
1989-1990 and also served on the ASUCLA board of directors the
following year.
Beall said the family plans on holding a memorial service for
Rabuy at UCLA in the near future. In the meantime, he asked
students and those who knew her to “keep her in (their)
prayers and thoughts.”