Benjamin Geer
Friday, May 1, 1998
Benjamin Geer
Presidential candidate Benjamin Geer
is a third-year mechanical engineering student.
What is the role of the USAC president?
I would see the role of USAC president as somebody who coordinates the offices of student government. Also, the USAC president is a person who represents the students and the student body to the administration and other groups on campus. Currently in student government, I haven't seen that happen like it has in years past. Our current student government - they're kind of more or less involved in political causes that I don't personally see benefitting students as a whole.
If elected, what direction do you plan on taking USAC?
If elected USAC president, I could somehow better achieve student representation better than they're doing now.
What are three major issues facing the university in the upcoming year?
Construction, by far, is a huge issue that affects students. I remember, (from) my freshman year until now, there's been construction all over the place. I don't think it's fair to the students to attend school at a construction site. I think that, as USAC president, I can work with student groups, facilities management (and) capital projects in order to somehow work with them and maybe find a way to let students know of planned construction projects and how it's going to affect them and their living situation. (With the construction at) Dykstra Hall, for instance, incoming freshmen were not notified of this at all - and all of a sudden, they're thrown into this big, huge construction zone. And I don't think that's fair to students.
Also, in the upcoming year, I think the after-effects of 209, how this affects minority applicants and minority enrollment at UCLA. As the numbers show from this year, minority enrollment is down quite a bit, and I think it would continue if currently unchecked. Maybe (support) more programs that reach out to marginalized or underrepresented minorities within the university. (With) outreach programs, I know we can do a lot there.
A third issue I see affecting students is on-campus housing. It's approximately 6,200 students, and that is a large percentage of our undergraduate student body. But in the coming year, housing fees have risen - this year it was 5.5 percent, and next year it's going to be another 12 percent, I think. So as fees go up, students cannot afford the double room in Sunset Village and a lot more triples are being created. But as more and more triples are being created, that forces the students to look for cheaper alternatives. This (also) leads to overcrowding in the residence halls, and also shutdowns of cafeterias as we put more and more students in the residence halls. It's definitely going to affect our cafeterias and staffing needs. Because on-campus housing affects so many students, it's a very important issue that I would want to dedicate myself to as USAC president.
Do you think there should be a change in the admissions criteria? If so, how do you propose implementing them?
I do think there should be a change in the admissions criteria to bring in more underrepresented minorities.
Although our current student government, with the recent action they've taken - when Chancellor Carnesale attended a USAC meeting, they demanded his resignation - I don't see that as right.
Albert Carnesale, as chancellor, has to comply with the law. Currently, California law says you can't use sex, race or ethnicity as a means for hiring or admissions. And I do think we have to comply with the law.
I don't know what that solution is. I'm not claiming to know. It's a very difficult question, but I do think that we, as students here at the university, can work together in order to arrive at a solution.
Currently I don't know what (the solution) is, but if I did, obviously I wouldn't be running for president. I'd be chancellor or something like that.
Some have criticized USAC for being too political. Is it appropriate for USAC to take a stance on political issues?
Yes I do, when they're appropriate, and when they benefit students. Some of the issues that student government has taken a stance on - such as the Nike or the Guess? boycott in the student store, and other issues - I don't see them benefitting students here at UCLA as much as other issues, like construction or financial aid. Although student government this year, and in years past, has had a very good record, I would say, on what they've done for financial aid, keeping fees at the same rate. But I think they could do a better job on other issues besides the political issues they've currently taken a stand on. But student government, and I, as president, if elected, would have to work on issues that benefit students campus-wise, so to say, before I would reach out.
Where would you place yourself on the political spectrum?
I am a moderate. There are some issues which I could swing a little more right on and other issues which I'll be somewhat left of center. It really depends on how, or what, the issue is. I wouldn't consider myself affiliated with a political party, because I don't necessarily agree with all of their views. I'm very moderate.
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