She led one of the country’s largest student enterprises from
the brink of bankruptcy, and after seven years, Patricia Eastman
will be stepping down from the helm of the Associated Students of
UCLA. Eastman announced on Friday her intention to resign as
executive director of the university’s student-controlled
association, effective at the end of the calendar year. She
declined to say what she will be doing next, but said in an e-mail
that it was important to make a public announcement about her plans
before entertaining other job opportunities. "The seven years I
have spent with the association have been wonderful, challenging,
and rewarding," Eastman said in a statement. "Now it is time for me
to move on to the next position. I am currently considering several
opportunities," she continued. Some of the association’s longtime
administrators saw Eastman’s announcement as a surprise. "It is
kind of unexpected. … Last year was very successful, I didn’t
expect her to leave," said Bob Williams, ASUCLA food services
director, adding that he had no knowledge of the resignation before
Friday. He did add, however, that it seemed like she wanted to move
on and had new opportunities presented to her. Under her
leadership, ASUCLA – which operates the campus restaurants, student
stores and student union – has gradually moved toward fiscal
soundness and innovation after struggling for much of the 1990s.
Eastman was appointed by the board of directors in 1996 on the
heels of a $20 million loan from the university, to fund capital
improvements such as the expansion of Ackerman Student Union. The
conditions of the loan, stipulated by then-Chancellor Charles
Young, required university supervision of ASUCLA’s finances – and
the chancellor’s approval of the association’s annual budget.
Financial woes were the first obstacle for Eastman in 1996, as
ASUCLA coped with a deficit of $3.5 million. Since then, the
association’s financial stability was initially shaky but seems to
have found its footing in recent years, with net incomes of $2.8
million and $2.3 million in 2001 and 2002, respectively. At the end
of the 2003 fiscal year, the association in some ways surprised
itself by netting a $557,000 gain, more than $400,000 higher than
its mid-year projection. Also during Eastman’s tenure, ASUCLA
introduced some key additions to the association’s entities,
including a Copeland’s Sports franchise and a STA Travel location
in Ackerman Union. However, the union has seen its share of failed
enterprises, such as two record shops that did not perform well.
ASUCLA, which is run by a student-majority board – one of the last
of its kind among universities – had its fair share of struggles
with students under Eastman’s leadership as well. One of those
struggles dealt with about 80 subcontracted non-student workers
fighting for the right to unionize and be hired as full-time
employees, with the association voicing concerns about the
financial impacts of such a decision. Eventually the two sides
reached a compromise, and the workers are now full-time unionized
employees. Eastman steps down as the association is working on
plans to revitalize the student union and renovate its food service
facilities on campus. How her departure will affect these pursuits
is not yet known. Maggy Athanasious, ASUCLA board chairwoman, said
in a statement that the board is currently planning to recruit
Eastman’s successor. "We will miss Pat. She has been very good for
ASUCLA and will not be easy to replace," she said.
With reports from Menaka Fernando, Bruin Senior Staff. For
more extensive coverage, check out the Daily Bruin on
Monday.