Op-ed: The physical sciences curriculum at UCLA needs to be revamped

Let’s get straight to the punchline: UCLA needs to change how the physical sciences are taught. Physical science courses have significantly higher fail rates than other courses, according to a 2015 report to UCLA’s executive vice chancellor and provost on enhancing student success. They also have large disparities in achievement between underrepresented minority students and […]

Op-ed: Tuition hike reveals failure to recognize contributions of nonresident students

On Thursday, The University of California Board of Regents decided to, once again, raise tuition for nonresident students. UC President Janet Napolitano sent a clear message to all out-of-state, international and nonresident-tuition-nonexempt undocumented students: We don’t care about you unless you bankroll our institution. The tuition hikes are a paradigm of the paradoxical relationship between […]

Letter to the editor: Public perception of predictive policing is wrong, it can help reduce crime

This post was updated May 21 at 11:28 a.m. Dear Editor, Earlier this month, Opinion columnist Lena Nguyen criticized the character and reputation of my colleague, Jeffrey Brantingham, an anthropology professor, in an Opinion column titled “Predictive policing algorithm perpetuates racial profiling by LAPD.” The piece maligned the nature of his work and contributions to […]

Op-ed: UCLA, LA health officials effectively collaborated to prevent spread of measles

The Daily Bruin’s recent editorial criticizing the university’s response to a measles outbreak not only mischaracterized UCLA’s actions, but did not include all of the facts. This was a complex operation that involved an array of UCLA departments and units, as well as Los Angeles County public health officials. We feel it is important to […]

Letter to the editor: Renée and David Kaplan deserve a building named after them

Dear Editor, The Daily Bruin ran a front-page story April 23 headlined “UCLA community questions fairness of naming buildings after donors.” The article quoted those who questioned the naming of buildings after individuals who may not share “our values.” The accompanying text and photo used the Renée and David Kaplan Hall on the campus’ central […]

Letter to the editor: UCLA hospitality facilities further university’s public service mission

Dear editor, This is a letter responding to the Opinion column titled “Mind Your Business: UCLA hotels detract funding from more pressing issues, compromise local business.” The purpose and function of UCLA facilities, like the UCLA Tiverton House, the Guest House, the Lake Arrowhead Conference Center and the Meyer and Renee Luskin Conference Center, is […]

Op-ed: UC tuition hikes hurt prospective out-of-state and international students

“Education is our passport to the future,” Malcolm X famously said. Similarly, George Washington Carver remarked that education is a key to “unlock the golden door of freedom.” Ostensibly, without education, one has no future and no prospects to freedom. Nevertheless, education in the United States is quickly becoming wholly unaffordable, and many students are […]