Aram Ghoogasian: USAC members should not participate in external lobbying groups

A free meal could signify a first date or a birthday celebration, but for student government members, it could easily represent a conflict of interest. While members of the Undergraduate Students Association Council are not being treated to steak dinners, a few have accepted expenses-paid trips to the other side of the world. Among these […]

USAC considers new position after overlooking rules

BY JOSEPH VESCERA Bruin contributor jvescera@media.ucla.edu Undergraduate student government leaders are considering creating a new council position for an expert on the governing body’s bylaws and meeting procedures. In March, the Undergraduate Students Association Council formed a debriefing committee in response to a large council meeting where councilmembers voted on a controversial divestment resolution. After […]

Travis Fife: LA law enforcement must be open about license plate data collection

With the revelation that the National Security Agency, among other federal bodies, is collecting huge amounts of data on American citizens, it’s probably not surprising that Los Angeles County law enforcement agencies have adopted similar tactics. News reports and a lawsuit have revealed details of a police program that employs technology to indiscriminately take pictures […]

Chloe Lew: Standardize UC foreign language reqs across the board

It is difficult to grade someone’s ability to hold a conversation when you have never heard them speak. Yet several University of California campuses look at foreign language education the same way many students look at their least significant classes: “pass” or “no pass.” Although the foreign language requirement is firmly rooted in UCLA’s College […]

Natalie Delgadillo: General representative candidates should have cohesive platform

After this summer’s stipend increase, every student government officer gets paid $672 a month. For most members of the Undergraduate Students Association Council who have clearly defined roles and a very structured office, it’s relatively clear what the student body is paying them to do. For the three general representatives that sit on council, however, […]

No. 1 UCLA softball steps up intensity in spring break

The UCLA student body may have been relaxing over spring break, but the softball team was busy at work. Spring hitting, sprinting and sliding, but not spring breaking. The No. 1 Bruins (33-2, 8-1 Pac-12) didn’t take their foot off the gas pedal over the weeklong spring break, as they played three different schools and […]