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  Karren Lane Lane is the 2001-2002 Undergraduate Students Association Council President.

On behalf of the Undergraduate Students Association Council, I would like to welcome you to UCLA!

You are entering UCLA at a very exciting and pivotal time. As the landscape of the state of California becomes more culturally diverse, UCLA has become less reflective of the diverse population it’s intended to serve as a California public institution.

This shift is a contradiction to the last thirty years of UCLA history. Within the last three decades, UCLA has revolutionized education by taking active steps to actualize the concept of diversity on campus.

The collective efforts of UCLA students, faculty, administration and community members have resulted in the creation of the ethnic studies centers, UCLA’s divestment from apartheid South Africa and the development of the High Potential program, which created comprehensive admission policies admitting students based on their desire to continue their education and the contributions they would make to the campus and the greater community.

It was efforts such as these that earned UCLA its reputation as one of the most prestigious universities in the nation. We, as students, must all play our role in ensuring that UCLA stays true to its history of diversity through student activism and collective effort.

This year, USAC, as the leadership body of UCLA’s student government, aims to face this challenge head on by providing opportunities for students to become more actively engaged in their educational experience.

The primary role of USAC is to advocate on behalf of students’ needs. All of the student government officers have concrete plans to address issues including the cost of housing, the availability of parking, financial aid, campus safety, the lack of diversity in curriculum and admission policy reform. The intention is to provide a campus environment that it is supportive of students’ development as individuals.

However, all of these efforts are contingent upon your participation. As students, you must take full ownership of your educational experience.

Traditionally, “students” are considered individuals who simply consume information inside of a classroom. This approach to education does a disservice to the work that you have done and the sacrifices the greater community has made for you to get to UCLA.

As students entering UCLA, I challenge you to be active, critical “consumers” and “contributors” of information both inside and outside the classroom. More importantly, go beyond thought and dialogue and initiate progressive action that will impact your own life and the lives of the people around you.

If our experience at UCLA is intended to prepare us for life beyond college, we must engage in activities that will broaden our prospective and understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

The reality is that a holistic approach to education can not occur within the confines of the classroom. As such, I encourage you to get involved in the various student activities on campus.

UCLA has a long tradition of student activism that has greatly enhanced student life. Student organizations help provide alternative means of education through programming on issues such as sexuality, gender, diverse cultural experiences, labor and environmental issues, political participation and religion.

In addition, there are student-initiated programs that work to retain students on campus, such as the Student Retention Center and USAC’ s Student Welfare Commission.

Lastly, as UCLA students, we are valuable resources to the greater community. It is important that we participate in activities that connect us back to the community. The Community Programs Office, the Student Initiated Outreach Committee and USAC’s Community Service Commission provide opportunities for students to work in the Los Angeles community as mentors and counselors, as well as to provide education on issues such as health, culture and individual rights.

Our involvement in student government and student organizations provides an opportunity for us to develop as well-rounded individuals with an understanding of social responsibility, which positively impacts our ability to achieve academically.

Student activism and collective action with diversity as the guiding principle is the key to maintain the excellence of our university. We must be active, because we recognize that we are a part of history. We have the power to shape our own education and what UCLA will be for the future generations to come.

I wish you great luck on your first year at UCLA and encourage you take advantage of every resource, especially USAC, for support in your educational pursuits.

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