When it comes to grade point averages, up might not always be the way to go. Dating back decades, the average GPA given at American universities has on average increased to the point where once-extraordinary transcripts now appear nothing more than mediocre. UCLA is no stranger to the trend. According to GradeInflation.com, which compiles GPA […]
Category Archives: Opinion Columns
Emily Merz: UC proves unreasonable in its rejection of strikers’ proposals
Students complained last week about dirty bathrooms, gross food in the dining halls and loud noises waking them up in the morning. Must be rough. But while Bruins worried about eating bagged sandwiches for three days in a row, campus service employees went on strike to demand better compensation and benefits from the University of […]
Omar Said: Neighborhood councils are necessary in LA despite backlash, criticism
Do we really need neighborhood councils? Those words were on every month’s agenda when Jerry Brown was president of the Westwood Neighborhood Council. Yes, every month. No, not Gov. Jerry Brown. Brown was WWNC’s first president when the council was formed in 2010. He retired in 2016. Those acquainted with Brown know that although he […]
Selby Kia: Quarter system keeps students from exploring courses in-depth, causes stress
It’s that time of year again, when UCLA students start to see Snapchats from their semester system friends of post-exam celebrations, hometowns and summer bliss. Meanwhile, weary Bruins have just finished week six of spring quarter. Instead of two 15-week semesters, UCLA has three 10-week quarters. The 10-week quarter system keeps UCLA students on their […]
Omar Said: Use of stereotyped Muslim attire in ROTC training perpetuates Islamophobia
It takes a lot of work to marginalize 3.5 million Americans at once. But the ROTC did just that when it stereotyped Muslims to portray enemy combatants. During a training held by UCLA’s and California State University, Fresno’s Army ROTCs in early April, students acting as enemy soldiers in combat simulations wore clothing commonly worn […]
Are you there, UCLA? It’s me, Mom: Activists should not have to be sole voice for mothers’ well-being on campus
Parenting students and faculty on campus are a forgotten constituency. The voices of nursing mothers have been largely ignored by UCLA, heard only by student activist groups. This column series explores the issues these mothers face and the steps UCLA must take to address these unmet needs. As the sounds of labor strikes this week […]
Tabatha Lewis: Student missions do more to boost resumes than public health
This post was updated on May 18 at 5:20 p.m. You probably follow one or two people on Instagram who have posted pictures of themselves dressed in scrubs and holding a child from a different country. Maybe they posted a caption about what a rewarding experience it was to work with underprivileged children and how […]