Editorial: USAC council members must lay clearer timeline for platform projects

Whenever an Undergraduate Students Association Council member completes a platform in the final stages of their term, or even later, it’s often accompanied by a excuse about tedious logistics planning. This year is no exception. Just last week, nearly two weeks after formally leaving office, Ariel Rafalian, former Financial Supports commissioner, launched a service for […]

Editorial: Cultural sensitivity training should be required for UCLA students, employees

UCLA has a cultural insensitivity problem. Last week, the Afrikan Student Union released a list of demands to the administration after fallout from a photo of former Undergraduate Students Association Council President Danny Siegel flashing a gang sign. The demands include calls for more resources from the administration, like an endowment for black students and […]

Editorial: Angelenos must vote against Charter Amendment C, hold LAPD accountable

Charter Amendment C is a city measure on the May 16 Los Angeles ballot. Angelenos will also vote for city council members and LA Unified School District board members during the May 16 elections. Plainly read, Charter Amendment C, might seem to uphold democracy by holding police accountable. In reality, it will do nothing to […]

Editorial: UC lacks transparency, exploits lecturers by cutting benefits

The University of California needs a lecture or two on how to treat its lecturers. UC’s chief negotiator said early March that summer lecturers at UCLA and several other campuses will lose their retirement benefits starting summer 2017. The UC isn’t required to provide retirement benefits under its agreement with the American Federation of Teachers […]

Editorial: Public input is key in selection of Westwood farmers market manager

When you think of farmers markets, you think local, transparently sourced produce. But the decisions steering the future of Westwood’s nearly decade-old farmers market are anything but transparent. In about a month, the Westwood Village Improvement Association’s contract with its current farmers market manager ends, and the association will look to replace Emmanuel Bautista, who […]

Editorial: USAC slates fail to prioritize student body over party needs

Bruins haven’t always been united behind Bruins United. But last week’s Undergraduate Students Association Council election demonstrated just how out of touch slates have been with the student body. USAC slates have long been the subject of criticism, and Bruins United is no exception. Slate members’ repeated failures in responding to controversial events – most […]

Editorial: UC requires more state support to improve budget practices

California has one of the world’s best public higher-education systems, but state audits suggest elected officials are more interested in gaining political capital than supporting the University of California. On April 25, the state auditor reported the University was overpaying some administrators compared to other public sector workers, and had accrued $175 million in secret […]