• printer friendly
• mail this article
• iPod format
• digg

Photo

USAC Internal Vice President Allende Palma/Saracho, left, general representative Josh Lawson, mid

Photo

Third-year Asian American studies student Emily Roh (right) helps set up the tents in front of Sc

Correction appended

As the circle of student supporters of the diversity requirement deepened, so did the emotions Tuesday night at the inauguration of tent city.

Amid tears, students from numerous minority campus organizations joined Undergraduate Students Association Council members for the beginning of a three-day campout in front of Schoenberg Hall to demand that UCLA incorporate a diversity requirement into its curriculum.

Tuesday’s weekly USAC meeting had been proceeding for five minutes when Sophia Kozak, Academic Affairs commissioner, announced that she was going to walk out.

“It’s been 17 years of struggle. That’s most of my lifetime. That is too long,” she said.

With only discussions about the Student Voice Referendum and votes on minor issues, Kozak and several others marched to Schoenberg with chants of “fighting for justice and our education” and “we are what diversity looks like.”

Council members walked out of the meeting to show that the most important issue of concern that night was tent city and the passage of the diversity requirement.

“We are in L.A., one of the most diverse cities in the world. We are here to show solidarity because it is a right to have a relevant education, not just a privilege,” said Rosario Luis, a second-year undeclared student who is a member of MEChA.

“We hold the university accountable for providing students with the relevant tools to succeed in today’s society,” said Matthew Kaczmarek, USAC external vice president.

Many participants urged other students to relay the message to professors, administrators and faculty, who have the ultimate vote in deciding whether the requirement will be a part of the curriculum.

“The faculty and administration have a responsibility. They have the power. They have to make decisions,” said USAC President Anica McKesey.

“We should not be sleeping on the lawn,” said Internal Vice President Allende Palma/Saracho, “The university should be sleeping on the lawn.”

Many of the students expressed the opinion that UCLA should be ashamed to be the only UC campus to not have a diversity requirement.

Seventeen student representatives from departments such as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender studies, African American studies and Middle Eastern studies each spoke about the importance of their department as a part of UCLA.

They were recognized by a supporting chant from the crowd: “We struggle with you.” Each person subsequently lit a candle in front of a picture of a representative of their group; the 17 candles represented the 17 years of advocacy for the requirement.

“We have to remember the people before us that struggled,” McKesey said, who became emotional when mentioning two Black Panthers who died on campus in a demonstration for diversity 30 years ago, as well as other organizations who have fought for equity.

The history of activism regarding the requirement was a theme that evoked intense emotions throughout the night.

Gathered in a circle that initiated tent city at 7:30 p.m., participant introductions were made, and it did not take long for deep emotions to arise.

Students spoke of the stereotypes and instances of discrimination they had encountered as minorities on campus, but the emphasis was on the need to change this through education.

“I’m tired of my brothers and my family being labeled as terrorists. I’m tired of the conservative attacks on my organization,” said Samahang Pilipino President Genevieve Espinosa, a fourth-year political science and Asian American studies student.

She also expressed anger about the lack of Pilipino faculty representation at UCLA, saying that the only professor of that background left UCLA because she said her contributions were not valued.

Racism, a central topic of concern to the students, was said to be derived from a fear of the unfamiliar, which is why they believe the requirement needs to be passed.

This requirement would incorporate a course on diversity, encompassing aspects such as race, gender and ethnicity, into the general education curriculum.

This change would not add an additional class to the curriculum, but rather be implemented into the program.

Though the event consisted of students that were adamantly in favor of the passage of the diversity requirement, others opposed to its implementation also attended.

“Why do we need to learn about diversity when the university is already diverse?” said fourth-year political science student Frank Contreras.

“There are already classes where you can learn about diversity,” he added. “If you want to know more about diversity, there are many organizations that you can join. The requirement is irrelevant when there are other sources.”

Contreras said he believes the requirement is connected to affirmative action, which he does not support.

Nonetheless, the support for the requirement extends beyond the UCLA campus, with representatives from UC Santa Barbara, UC Santa Cruz and UC Irvine coming Thursday to show their support.

Correction:The article should have said that USAC President Anica McKesey said two Black Panthers died for diversity on campus over 30 years ago.