Daily Bruin – Page 215

Letter to the Editor: ASUCLA strives to create flexible dining options on campus to cater to students’ needs

UCLA is a large university with tens of thousands of students, all of whom have distinct food needs and preferences. Every student has different expectations about the food that should be available on campus, and Associated Students UCLA understands this. The Board of Directors constantly wrestles with decisions about how to properly provide for our students – and food service is no exception.

The eight undergraduate and graduate students who constitute a majority of our board share the desires of the greater student body to have quality food available on campus. We do not take this responsibility lightly. Our process for vetting potential food operations is extensive, and we work diligently to ensure our decisions are responsive to student desires.

Last year, we brought Blaze Pizza to the Court of Sciences Student Center. Students had been craving a new, fresh and made-to-order pizza concept since the departure of Sbarro. By opening Blaze Pizza, we were able to cater to that desire while also introducing vegan and lower price point items to students.

We also opened Veggie Grill, the chain’s first-ever shared dining hall location, in Ackerman Union. We wanted to offer a viable and central dining option for students with kosher, halal, vegetarian and vegan diets. Veggie Grill met that need and also helped further our goal of making healthy food more available to students.

When selecting restaurants, we have to manage many competing interests and make reasonable compromises to secure the best outcome for students, staff, faculty and off-campus guests.

As such, we need self-operated restaurants, like those at North Campus Student Center, Lu Valle Commons and Greenhouse – which provides healthy options – to maintain a high level of student employment. We are, after all, dedicated to providing students with positive work experiences. We need affordable restaurants, like Taco Bell and Yoshinoya, to ensure we provide food options for all students. And we need fast and familiar restaurants, like Panda Express and Carl’s Jr., for the many students who desire those options.

The list goes on. Every restaurant we open has a unique purpose in our campus ecosystem.

Most importantly, we always welcome suggestions and feedback from students. Our board meetings in Kerckhoff Hall and our Services Committee meetings in Ackerman Union are open to all. And we highly value the criticism we receive, constructive or otherwise.

A comprehensive list of our service offerings and food operations can be found both on our website at asucla.ucla.edu and via our app, “Associated Students UCLA.”

Kato is the vice chair of the ASUCLA board of directors. Adewumi-Gunn is the chair of the ASUCLA board of directors.

Kitchen setting in play serves to replicate tension during post-World War II

Fried fish and post-World War II cultures will collide onstage to brew trouble in Macgowan Hall this weekend.

UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television’s production of “The Kitchen” will run from Friday to Saturday and from March 5 to 9. at the Freud Playhouse. The story is set over the course of one day in a restaurant kitchen in 1958 London, where a myriad of international characters begin resenting their working conditions. Director Michael Hackett, a professor of directing and theater history, said the play highlights the economic situation at the time. It details the way in which it divided people and prevented them from cooperating, despite their efforts to keep the kitchen running smoothly.

“The place that gives them meaning also destroys them,” Hackett said. “They feel like they’re part of a machine.”

The 32 characters in the play belong to social groups stratified by both nationality and class. Hackett said tensions between the groups often reflect prevalent sentiments during World War II, whether it’s animosity between the German and Jewish characters, or the English and Irish, who remained neutral toward each other during the war. Despite their differences, each character has to work with and between the others: Jewish and Italian pastry chefs share a station and an English waitress has a scandalous affair with one of the German chefs, Hackett said.

In an effort to draw the audience into the kitchen’s chaos, Hackett said he wanted to make the play as interactive as possible without breaking the fourth wall. The entire kitchen set was constructed to accommodate audience seating on the stage itself, with three steep rows on either side. Ernest Gardner Jr., a graduate student of set and production design, said he designed the space with kitchen doors on either side, so the audience could feel the swift transition of actors entering and leaving the dining space.

“The true goal was … to put (the audience) inside of a kitchen,” Gardner said. “To make them feel as if they were immersed and seeing the daily action of what these characters are speaking about.”

The daily routine of teamwork is familiar to Su Castillo, a graduate acting student who plays a woman named Paula. Castillo said she first equated the play’s workspace dynamic to her time serving in the air force, an environment that constantly demands coordination between individuals. Even though they won’t utilize real food or fire onstage, every cast member had to learn to cook their individual dishes – it was vital for each person to know their role in order to better replicate a kitchen’s natural rhythm, she said.

“It’s hugely cooperative, because the moment (the show) isn’t, it logjams,” Castillo said. “It’s just like LA traffic.”

Castillo also said she drew on her own life experiences of racism and misogyny to help get herself into character. Her character’s background as being both Jewish and Irish forces her into opposition with several of the other characters. In one scene, Paula confronts a German character, Hans – their dialogue references suffering, and how people try to quantify suffering on an individual and cultural basis, Castillo said. The scene was initially going to be cut, Castillo said, but she and her co-star fought to keep it in the play because it illustrates cooperation across people from varied backgrounds.

“I thought it was necessary dialogue,” Castillo said. “How do people on opposing sides of an argument move forward together?”

Much of the play’s tension builds in an early scene that Hackett described as pandemonium for the entire restaurant staff – meal service. A typical well-sized London restaurant at the time served as many as 2,000 meals a day, but during the lunch rush, the kitchen had to produce about 600 meals in 20-30 minutes, Hackett said; the logistical challenge of producing this scene intrigued him. The scene takes place on a Friday, when a young Irish Catholic fry cook named Kevin becomes frustrated by the inundation of fish orders.

After this scene, Castillo’s part culminates in a two-page monologue that addresses the friction between Paula and the protagonist Peter, a young German chef. Castillo said the monologue emphasizes the inherent divide between the two characters. Paula, however, insists metaphoric walls separating their ideologies need not prevent them from working smoothly together for a better society.

“It’s really the message of the play, a message about the war, a message about a country that is building up a generation … and how you put those pieces back together,” Castillo said.

Author’s book explores evolution of Bollywood dance into more diverse art form

Bollywood dance has shifted from the classical elite to the everyday citizen, said Dr. Pallabi Chakravorty.

Within her book, “This is How We Dance Now!,” she analyzes the change in the instruction in dance, as well as the social classes that participate in the activity today. Chakravorty gave a book talk Monday hosted by the UCLA Department of World Arts and Cultures/Dance. She said it was the upper class who used to perform Bollywood dance prior to the 1980s, but other socioeconomic classes still had their own local dances and rituals. Globalization and access to the internet, she said, have led to a diversity of dance styles in Bollywood and an expansion in terms of who participates.

“Now you see this different class of people dancing. This is the first time you see a very different class of people dancing in a very visible place like Bombay,” Chakravorty said.

Bollywood prior to the 1980s focused on more classical dances like bharatnatyam or kathak, she said. However, with the globalization and liberalization of the Indian economy, dance styles began to change and take on more cosmopolitan, Western influences. On top of this change, reality television shows with celebrity judges became a part of Bollywood in recent years, Chakravorty said.

“The main story for me is, ‘Who are these dancers who are dancing now?’ For the first time in India, we see the working classes have access to dance and participating in culture in ways they were not (before),” Chakravorty said.

Chakravorty spent several years studying what went on behind the scenes and backstage, shadowing dancers and choreographers in Bollywood. In observing behind-the-scenes action, she saw choreographers taking inspiration from YouTube videos of Western dance routines. These choreographers could access many different dance forms, such as tango or salsa, which could be blended with classical Indian styles in Bollywood dance.

Outside the professional sphere, Bollywood dancing is prominent at the collegiate level as well, said Nilanjana Gupta, a specialist in pop culture and literature and professor at Jadavpur University in Kolkata, India. Gupta said teams from different universities across India compete against each other, performing the style.

UCLA’s competitive Bollywood dance group, Nashaa, participates in intercollegiate competitions across the United States. Stephanie Bueno, a fourth-year human biology and society student and a director of Jhoomti Shaam, a Bollywood dance competition hosted by Nashaa, said the team blends different dance styles like hip-hop into their choreography.

In Bueno’s second year, the team performed a dance routine to “Señorita,” a song that combines both Spanish and Hindi. The song is on the soundtrack of a Bollywood film about three men who go on a road trip through Spain on a bachelor trip. Bueno herself has experience in Latin dancing, having practiced ballet folkorico for twelve years, and she was able to give input to the team’s Indian choreographers who wanted to infuse the routine with a Latin feel.

Even though Bollywood dance is a part of Indian culture, Chakravorty said it is sometimes looked down upon because of a distaste for the “five minutes of fame” aspect of reality television shows which are associated with Bollywood. She said some people thought Bollywood dance reality television shows cause people to suffer more because they might not have anywhere to go after they are on the show. However, Chakravorty said the reality show industry in India can be profitable enough to sustain stars.

“One of (the dancers I followed) had won multiple reality show trophies and awards, and in India, (reality show dancing) comes with a lot of money prizes attached, like fancy cars, so they have access to some sort of livelihood and financial gain,” Chakravorty said.

With the shift to a more cosmopolitan identity in dance came a change in the feminine and masculine identity within the Bollywood culture. There used to be an idealization of masculinity and femininity influenced by the ideas of gods and goddesses prior to the later 19th century, she said. But now, these ideas of masculinity and femininity are influenced by hip-hop, pop stars and MTV instead of mythological beings.

Gupta said she thinks society has also changed its perception of the physical body in terms of dance in Bollywood. She said there was a time when it was not considered proper for members of the middle class, particularly women, to perform the style. She added that self-expression through physical activity used to bring shame upon oneself for members of the middle class due to restrictions on how they displayed their body, but now it is more openly accepted due to cultural changes in Bollywood.

“I think that the body has become much more part of an exhibition kind of thing,” Gupta said. “You exhibit your body through dance, and I think it has become OK, which it wasn’t for a long time. It has become OK to make your body a part of you.”

Town hall addresses UC involvement, controversy regarding Hawaii telescope

Activists said they think students should pressure the University of California to divest from the construction of a 30-meter telescope on a sacred Hawaiian site.

The Pacific Islands’ Student Association organized a town hall and teach-in Monday where students spoke with activists about the controversy surrounding the UC’s involvement in the construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope in Hawaii.

The telescope, which would allow researchers to look into space at greater distances and higher resolution, is set to be built on the summit of Mauna Kea, the tallest mountain in the world. However, Mauna Kea is a sacred site in Native Hawaiian culture and is believed to be the dwelling place of the god Wākea, according to a brief presentation at the beginning of the town hall.

In late 2007, the UC received a $200 million commitment from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation for the development and construction of TMT on Mauna Kea. In 2014, the UC helped found the TMT International Observatory LLC, the nonprofit spearheading the telescope’s construction.

The UC, as a partner of TMT, currently has representatives serving on TMT International Observatory’s Workforce, Education, Public Outreach and Communications board and its Board of Governors.

Plans for the telescope moved forward after the Hawaii Supreme Court upheld its construction permit in 2018. Native Hawaiians have protested TMT’s construction on Mauna Kea in the past, which sometimes resulted in arrests.

Activists Liko Martin and Laulani Teale encouraged efforts to push the UC and other partnered universities around the world to divest from TMT International Observatory at the town hall.

“We are resisting that destruction, not science,” Teale said. “We are asking science to do better.”

Teale said while the telescope supports scientific research, its construction would desecrate the summit of Mauna Kea, which stands as one of the last major Hawaiian cultural landmarks that have survived colonization.

“There’s an assumption that you can destroy,” Teale said. “Once it’s okay to destroy, then (destruction) becomes a must because that’s where the funding is going to go because quite honestly, the funding doesn’t care about whether a sacred mountain is destroyed or not.”

Martin and Teale have also visited other universities in California, including UC Berkeley and California Institute of Technology, over the past few weeks to discuss indigenous and Native Hawaiian efforts to prevent TMT’s construction.

Uriah Blackwell, a fourth-year earth and environmental science student, said he hoped the activists would remind attendees that the mountain’s sanctity holds great significance for Native Hawaiians.

“It’s easy for us to think about, but for (others), they don’t really know what that truly means, … why it’s called the birthplace of aloha,” Blackwell said. “Maybe give the people a better understanding of the crowd so that when they go home tonight, they have a better viewpoint.”

Karla Thomas-Mamani, the president of PISA, said she thinks UCLA students need to pay more attention to the needs of indigenous peoples in order to more effectively support their efforts to organize.

“As a student who’s not Native Hawaiian but who is an ally who understands indigenous land rights, how can we pride ourselves on being a university that stands for equity, diversity and inclusion when we don’t consider the voices of indigenous peoples?” Thomas-Mamani said.

Claire Doan, a spokesperson for the UC Office of the President, said in an email statement that the UC welcomes discussion concerning this project.

“We appreciate the input of the individuals and groups who have helped shape the evolution of TMT, and will continue working to ensure that the project – in its efforts to advance science and astronomy – will honor and respect the cultures and traditions of Hawaii,” she said.

The telescope will be built on an alternate site in La Palma, Spain if Mauna Kea becomes inaccessible, according to a press release from TMT International Observatory. TMT has involved the Hawaiian community in the planning and construction process and received increasing public support for the project, according to the press release.

TMT added in the press release it believes the project will benefit the Hawaiian community by creating more jobs, supporting local education and promoting scientific discovery.

Thomas-Mamani said PISA plans to submit student testimonies and organize a student protest during the UC Board of Regents meeting in March.

Teale said the upcoming meeting is an opportunity for students to raise their concerns directly to the UC Board of Regents.

“If (the UC Board of Regents) can say no, the whole deal can be off,” Teale said.

Inner Peas: Overcoming gymtimidation, positive impact of regular exercise on mental health

Late-night coffee sessions and a constantly looming sense of stress may seem synonymous with the college lifestyle – but it doesn’t have to be that way. In her series Inner Peas, Daily Bruin contributor Kayleigh Ruller will explore different ways students can easily practice various wellness tactics in their busy day-to-day lives.

Enter Bruin Fitness Center, and you’ll find clusters of confident weightlifters dispersed among pockets of timid treadmill walkers.

The decision to head to the gym can be intimidating when you feel like a conspicuous newbie in a sea of focused students who seem to know exactly what they’re doing and how to do it. Some people may find themselves doing their exercises tucked behind quiet corners to avoid drawing attention or in front of stuffy mirrors to be seen by many — but working out and choosing where to do that shouldn’t be nearly as treacherous as we make it out to be.

Finding your space within the often polarized sections of the gym is intimidating, but overcoming the insecurities, mental blocks and self-doubts of gym life are attainable goals just as rewarding as the physical benefits themselves.

“Gymtimidation” is the fear of going to the gym, or wherever a physical activity is occurring, that hinders worthy exercisers from achieving their goals. For many of us, gymtimidation can surface as a result of the comparison between body types and exercise styles, avoiding the gym as a whole or just feeling a decreased sense of confidence at the gym.

Jenna Signorelli, a first-year psychology student, said her sense of confidence is particularly altered when she moves from the treadmills to the weight-lifting portion of her exercise routine.

“The weight section is intimidating because it is primarily occupied by men,” Signorelli said. “I feel out of place when I want to work out near the mirrors and weights because I definitely feel like I stand out as one of the few girls on that side of B-Fit.”

For Signorelli, the different areas of the gym have become gendered as fit and experienced males congregate near the mirrors and squat racks, often sparking feelings of intimidation for many first-timers, females or groups of students who may lack a sense of belonging at the gym.

According to a 2017 study with Queen’s University in Canada, gyms are sites where gendered inequities emerge due to the disparities in physical activity. As a place where gender can influence exercise and perpetuate previously embodied gender ideals, gyms must be the next target for transformative interventions to de-structure the disparities within the space.

While Signorelli’s and other students’ discomfort may stem from the divided nature of the space, it is important to remind yourself that the gym is meant to be an all-inclusive space for people of all genders, sizes and colors. By simply being there, bringing your workout into a space of the predominant sex, and deconstructing the stereotype of strength workouts as traditionally male or cardio workouts as traditionally female, you are defying both gym boundaries and “gymtimidation,” taking charge of your workout.

In addition to harnessing feelings that make you feel like you don’t belong, the gym may also be a breeding ground for comparison, especially for the college students who are transitioning through new stresses, social environments, mental health and academics.

Comparing oneself to others can be a massive detriment to mental health, but regular exercise itself can also help improve one’s mental health because it has a positive impact on serotonin levels.

Maia Rodriguez-Choi, a veteran marathon runner and first-year human biology and society student, said while comparison and assumptions may be an easy fallback, it’s important to refrain from assuming where anyone is in their fitness journey.

“We have to remind ourselves that we’re all at different starting points and we all may have different intentions for exercising our bodies. We can’t make judgments about why other people are there, and instead just focus on our own practice,” said Rodriguez-Choi.

One method of tackling these comparisons and fears is seeking social support to find the endorphic rush that keeps you quite literally running to the gym. Finding a new or old friend who can accompany and encourage you during your workout fosters a sense of accountability and moral support, and is, in fact, the preferred workout method for most university students. Bringing a friend may allow you to focus on the teamwork, motivation and accountability aspects of exercise, turning comparison into fun, friendly competition.

Furthermore, a solution to overcoming the mental blocks when it comes to exercise can be found in shifting your perspective from one of comparison and unworthiness to one of honoring your body and understanding that exercise is for your individual physical well-being, health and clarity of mind.

In an interview with Brit + Co, personal trainer Jennifer Giamo recommends altering the perspective on exercise to one of “me time,” and in doing so, you begin to appreciate what your body can do for you. Gratitude for our bodies’ capabilities becomes an extremely powerful motivator.

Alongside seeing visiting the gym as a form of self-care, you can see it in new eyes as a form of preventive medicine that decreases daily fatigue, improves cardiovascular health, and enhances the function of the hippocampus, boosting memory and mental function. When regarding exercise from a perspective of its benefits in the long run instead of the difficulties in the short term, we find a valid reminder to honor our bodies at the gym.

However, there are other endorphin-boosting alternatives to working out at B-Fit or the John Wooden Center at UCLA. Sunny – well, for the most part – Westwood is in a prime location for runs, hikes and outdoor spaces you may feel more energized and comfortable in.

In fact, finding a space to exercise in that doesn’t distract you, but rather comforts you, is key to maintaining regular, functional workouts and therefore, improved self-confidence and motivation.

Second-year molecular cell and developmental biology student and club track runner Lindsay Hewitt finds her own space on the track during her run.

“When I’m running, I’m in my comfort zone,” Hewitt said. I’m not comparing myself and I find my niche where I can feel confident and comfortable, without needing to look around and see if people are judging me.”

By implementing physical changes that allow you to find this comfort zone such as new workout clothes, fun music or group workout classes like John Wooden Center’s GroupX classes or drop-in yoga classes on the Hill, working out can become an activity you actively look forward to rather than shy away from.

Ultimately, a healthy lifestyle doesn’t require daily gym sessions, but rather that you partake in activities that make you sweat and find a moderate balance between exercising, healthy eating and sleep.

By implementing moments of mindful, enjoyable movement, whether that be at the gym, studio or track, you give your body a rush of happy endorphins, which can help prevent long-term depression and most importantly, foster a regular and effective form of self-confidence.

With a newfound appreciation for endorphins, friends and your body during exercise, walking into B-Fit may no longer be a looming threat. Stepping foot into a space crowded with runners, lifters and stretchers alike is a reminder of your own powerful ability to foster sustainable and impactful self-confidence.

No Offense, But: Standardized tests

“No Offense, But” is back in your feeds! Join Opinion editor Keshav Tadimeti and columnists Will Bleveans and Tabatha Lewis this week as they weigh the pros and cons of eliminating the SAT and ACT from University of California admissions. After the break, they talk about the weather – the unbearably cold, tree-felling parts of it, at least.

Club Sports: UCLA Kendo

A group of around 40 members practice the traditional Japanese martial art every week at the John Wooden Center.