Tuesday, November 25, 1997
Students voice dissent over technology fee
USAC: Initiative’s benefits questioned by protesters; per unit
cost also criticized
By Stefanie Wong
Daily Bruin Staff
In the grand tradition of UCLA rallies, students came together
to protest an administrative decision they deemed unfair and
unnecessary.
Approximately 30 students chanted and rallied in front of Murphy
Hall Monday morning to protest a fee the administration says is
designed to improve the quality of education and technology at
UCLA.
The Instruction Enhancement Initiative (IEI) was a new
campus-based fee levied for the first time this quarter in order to
develop web sites for courses in the School of Letters &
Science.
Students raised concern and disgust over the $2.50 and $3.50 per
unit fee about two weeks ago when billing statements were sent
out.
"Student government has received a lot of student inquiries
about the fee," said USAC President Kandea Mosley.
At the rally, sponsored by USAC and the Graduate Student
Association (GSA), students were given the opportunity to voice
their dissent over IEI.
Several students stepped up to the microphone to voice their
disgust and unhappiness.
"I don’t know why (the web sites) are helpful. I haven’t seen
the results," said Rebecca Rosen, a second-year music student, who
says she will not support the initiative until obvious benefits are
presented.
"There’s nothing on the sites, so I don’t understand what we’re
paying for," added Nanette Barragan, a third-year political science
student.
Rally participants also carried signs that read "No more fees! I
have no money" and "Don’t make me choose between my education and
paying my rent."
Most of the complaints of the morning focused on the apparent
lack of benefits from the web sites and the fact that students were
not notified of the initiative until they received the billing
statements.
The late billing statements also created the concern of having
holds placed on records and students not being able to register for
next quarter’s classes. However, the deadline for fee payment has
been extended until Dec. 19.
Many students have complained that the IEI fees were not added
into the registration fees, although the assessment could not take
place until students’ units were finalized.
After the open mike session, the group proceeded through the
halls of Murphy Hall to the office of the provost of the School of
Letters & Science to file formal complaints about IEI.
"We need people to know that students aren’t going to take it
anymore," said Ahmad Shama, a third-year computer science
student.
While IEI is only levied on undergraduate students, it is also
an issue that addresses the interests of graduate students,
prompting the involvement of GSA.
According to GSA President Andrew Westall, teaching assistants
are usually the ones who work on creating and maintaining the
course web sites.
But the money that undergraduates pay only goes toward the
technology and not increasing the pay of the teaching
assistants.
Members of the administration were happy to see students active
and rallying around an issue they felt important.
"This is a student tradition and a way to express issues of
concern. We support their involvement, but it is important that
they know the facts and have a clear understanding," said Vice
Chancellor of Student Affairs Winston Doby.
One misconception many students held was that it was Chancellor
Albert Carnesale who approved the initiative when it really was
former Chancellor Charles Young, who implemented IEI before he
retired in June.
"I don’t have to defend the decision because I didn’t make it,"
Carnesale said during Monday’s Townhall meeting.
Carnesale will continue with the initiative and has expressed no
interest in reversing its implementation. He plans on keeping with
the initiative because the original agreement states that IEI will
be implemented for three years, after which a full review of the
program will be made.
At that time, the administration will decide to expand, continue
or completely do away with the initiative.
However, the temporary nature of IEI still brings concerns to
students and members of the undergraduate council.
"Why should we be forced to pay for something that is
experimental?" Mosley said.
The rally was scheduled to occur an hour before the chancellor’s
Townhall meeting, where Carnesale wanted an opportunity to meet
members of the UCLA community and to answer their questions and
concerns.
"(I am) determined to avoid isolation from students, faculty and
citizens," Carnesale said.
Approximately 150 people attended the one-hour forum, including
students, administrators, faculty and staff members.
Questions from the audience ranged from IEI, to the proposed
Turkish studies endowment, to diversity at UCLA. Overall,
attendants of the meeting felt that it was very successful and a
good way to meet the chancellor.
"I really appreciate this opportunity to ask questions and
express ideas," said Michael Wong, a fourth-year psychology
student.
Carnesale agreed, saying that he felt the event went well and
that he was able to gain a better understanding of the
students.
"I found it very valuable, and I appreciated the opportunity,"
he said.