ASUCLA devoted to serving students We, the Associated Students of UCLA Board of Directors, are writing in response to the column “Privatization of ASUCLA not guaranteed solution” by Michael Weiner (Daily Bruin, News, April 23). Weiner writes that ASUCLA has been untrue to its student focus by leasing space in Ackerman Union to certain third parties. He further claims that privatization has become the centerpiece of ASUCLA’s financial strategy. We wish to point out that the lease revenue from these arrangements is far from the centerpiece of our financial strategy. In fact, the total revenue anticipated from third-party leases accounts for only seven percent of the turnaround strategies, which we put in place last spring ($262,000 of $3.7 million). Further, each of the third-party operators brings a service or product to campus in which they are recognized leaders. We believe, and student survey data supports, that these are services and products that the campus community needs and wants. It is important for ASUCLA to focus on its core competencies, and we believe that these outside experts add value and excellence to the students’ experience in our facilities. Lastly, each third-party operator must follow the Code of Conduct and provide goods and services in a matter that benefits our constituencies. It is also important to note that the Joint Operations Committee does not have decision-making authority over ASUCLA matters. It is a forum for discussion between the board of directors and the UCLA administration. Finally, Weiner suggests that we should embrace our past and that, by being smaller and more humble, we will better serve students. A review of the past reveals that ASUCLA was once a much larger organization that included Intercollegiate Athletics, parking, travel service, a child care center, dry cleaners and a host of other services. We believe that our contribution to the campus should evolve, just as the needs of the students on campus have evolved. We have taken extraordinary measures to assure that the long tradition of student ownership and control of ASUCLA’s enterprises remains. The mostly student-run board of directors has encouraged our management team to embrace our mission to maintain student control through participatory decision-making, including the development and implementation of a plan that eliminated 44 career positions, without compromising the products, services and facilities of the association. Further, we have taken these measures to maintain this student-governed organization’s autonomy at the same time that the temporary student union fee will decrease from the current $51 to $7.50 per year. We are committed to the student fee reduction that will occur in the academic year 2002-2003. The model of ASUCLA is that the enterprises we operate generate revenues to support the Student Union instead of relying on a student fee. We believe that this is an example of our student focus and commitment.
ASUCLA Board of Directors
Bruin ad misleadingI am writing because I was appalled to see the ad in the Daily Bruin titled, “Take Back the Campus! Combat the Radical Feminist Assault on Truth!” (April 18, page 35). There is no clear indication as to who submitted the ad and no information about the “Independent Women’s Forum.” Their ad twists information and makes statements filled with inaccuracies, distortions and inflammatory comments under the guise of “facts.” It is designed to ferment intolerant, anti-woman as well as anti-feminist sentiment and action on campus. It incites hate. This ad is a nasty attack on women that would never be permitted if taken out to attack African American or Asian studies. I am shocked that you accepted this ad and allowed such hate-filled propaganda to be printed on the pages of the Daily Bruin. I hope that you will take action to mitigate the potentially dangerous impact of such propaganda. A feature story on the organized anti-woman backlash in this country, and how it is being enacted on college campuses, would educate your readers about what this kind of ad really represents. A review of your policies regarding advertising seems to be in order. Taking action on this issue will continue the high standards that the UCLA community has come to expect from the Daily Bruin.
Barrie Levy Adjunct faculty member Social welfare and Women’s studies