Thursday, April 4, 1996
Editorial
There are many roads by which a student is admitted into
UCLA.
For the majority of students, their Scholastic Aptitude Test
scores and high school grade point average play a deciding factor.
Some departments may have additional requirements, such as
auditions for theater arts students. Even athletes must demonstrate
excellence in sports and adhere to high school academic standards
to gain admittance. Still others are admitted under accepted
supplemental criteria  such as race, gender and economic
status.
But no formal university admissions process admits students
because of their political connections.
Yet, reports have surfaced that high-ranking politicians and
university officials have used their power and contacts to
circumvent the established process. With their influence, they have
managed to secure admissions for students who may not be eligible
under UCLA’s official standards.
For example, take a Central Valley developer’s daughter who,
according to the Los Angeles Times, applied with a 790 SAT score, a
3.45 GPA and no high school honors classes. Her chances of
attending UCLA seemed slim, but UC Regent Leo Kolligian’s backing
helped assure her admittance for fall 1995.
The Daily Bruin believes it is unethical and unacceptable for
anyone to use their power or connections to influence the
admissions process. No student should be allowed to bypass the
formal guidelines established by the university.
These back door preferences sidestep the admissions process and
compromise UCLA’s academic integrity. Moreover, it is a blatant
abuse of officials’ power and public trust.
As public servants of California taxpayers, university employees
are expected to uphold all written guidelines  not bend them
for political favors. The blame for this injustice lies with these
officials, as they are the ones who "pull the strings" and push
these preferential admissions through.
But let’s not forget those who ask for  and expect Â
political and financial favors in exchange for admissions. They,
too, are at fault because they contribute to the documented
unethical abuses of power.
These processes, simply put, are elitist ways for students to
get into UCLA. In many cases, this is after they have been
initially rejected by the official admissions rules.
As a public university established to give all eligible students
a chance at an affordable education, these practices are
unacceptable under any circumstances.
Private colleges commonly allow financially well-off alumni and
donors preferential treatment, but that is not appropriate at a
public institution such as UCLA.