Westwood, by most accounts, is an affluent part of Los Angeles, but walking through its streets, students are familiar with its homeless population. What they likely aren’t aware of is the countless laws criminalizing this group’s right to live without harassment. Last week, the Westwood Neighborhood Council met and voted to send a letter expressing […]
Author Archives: Shani Shahmoon
Shani Shahmoon: SCR 35 should not use broad definition of anti-Semitism
Anti-Semitism has a broad impact on college campuses, but when it comes to defining the issue, broader is not better. In late March, Senate Concurrent Resolution 35 was introduced by several senators to approach anti-Semitism issues on University of California campuses. Last week, a hearing was held to discuss the language of the resolution, and […]
Shani Shahmoon: Israeli Independence Day provides opportunity for campus discussion
Sometimes, one people’s independence is another people’s displacement. In 1948, Israel declared itself a state. As a result of the declaration of the State of Israel, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were displaced from their homes and forced to flee to neighboring countries. While Israelis celebrate their independence, Palestinians mourn Al-Nakba, or “the catastrophe.” This […]
Shani Shahmoon: Financial Wellness Program needs greater emphasis on mental health
For UCLA students, keeping their mind on their money could prove costly. The Undergraduate Students Association Council’s Financial Supports Commission office just introduced the Financial Wellness Program, an administrator-led program aiming to address students’ financial literacy, mental health and advocacy through workshops, coaching and online educational efforts. Over the past year, USAC’s FSC office successfully […]
Shani Shahmoon: Proactive approach needed for Greek life regulations
When organizations fail to adequately police themselves, university administration has a responsibility to step in. Nowhere is that more apparent than in Greek life on campus. Following a string of troubling incidents at fraternities nationwide, UCLA administration has a responsibility to take a proactive, rather than reactive, approach. UCLA should not wait for a major […]
Shani Shahmoon: Resolution important in deconstructing anti-Semitic rhetoric
While many students on this campus pride themselves on their ethnicity and religion, I find myself stigmatized for my background. This Tuesday, “A Resolution Condemning Anti-Semitism” was presented to the Undergraduate Students Association Council to help bring an end to the discrimination of the Jewish community at UCLA. It’s no surprise, though, that this resolution […]
Shani Shahmoon: UCLA should allow alumni free access to BruinView
College graduates are facing a drastically different job market than the one that existed when our parents went to school. Where before someone might have begun working after graduation in the same company they would one day retire in, now, it is not uncommon for students to jump from job to job throughout their 20s. […]