UCLA is bigger than just a crosstown
rivalry
It was an inspirational moment at the end of Saturday’s
game against USC. Down by an insurmountable amount, with a large
chunk of the stadium crowd missing and five minutes left in the
game, the UCLA student section was going wild.
We littered the stadium and surrounding area with blue confetti
torn from our free pom-poms (How much do you want to bet we never
get them again?).
It took a moment to realize why our mood was the way it was, but
then I remembered: I am not going to let any crosstown hack ruin my
day.
So they have a great football team and won a game, big deal.
What else do they have? Nada.
We’re the Bruins, and while I love our football team
(ending the season with a 9-2 record), my pride for this school
does not rest solely with them.
It resides in my friends here, and the amazing people I’ve
shared drinks with, studied with, and grown up with. It resides in
my fraternity and a few of the other 800 student groups on campus.
I tip my hat to our hospital, the best on the West Coast, that
saved my life in an operation three years ago. We have so much, and
that is why we strewed the air with blue Saturday.
You go to the most sought-after school in the nation. The piece
of paper you will leave here with is known around the world. I
encourage you to think about why you came to UCLA and whether
you’ve accomplished everything you’ve wanted. There is
a lot on this campus. Do what you want with it.
Joseph Vardner USAC facilities commissioner
On-campus drivers should exercise more caution
Driving is a privilege, not a right ““ and it seems some of
UCLA’s drivers need a refresher course on that topic.
On an almost daily basis, I see workers and students careen down
crowded walkways in electric carts and zip along busy streets in
huge vans. Sometimes university vehicles come inches from hitting
pedestrians or other cars. It is a widespread problem, and even
some community service officers have unsafe driving habits.
A few words come to mind: reckless, injury and lawsuit.
I know driving is a skill we all become very comfortable with
““ it becomes almost instinctive once you’ve been
driving for a few years. But UCLA’s drivers must be reminded
that how they drive can be the difference between life and
death.
Perhaps it’s time for UCLA to start reviewing who drives
its vehicles and their driving records. If nothing else, it’s
time to send out an all-points bulletin: Safety should be the only
priority.
Derek Lazzaro 2003-04 Daily Bruin Viewpoint
editor