Monday, September 22, 1997 A resource opens for international
students EDUCATION: Bradley Center will ease their transition into
the U.S.
By Yasmin Keyvan
Daily Bruin Contributor
The bright orange building standing at the base of Strathmore
Avenue, between Gayley Avenue and Circle Drive, houses the Tom
Bradley International Center that will aid international students.
However, it is funded by raising room and board prices for all
students.
Named after former Mayor Tom Bradley, the center will house the
Rita and Stanley Dashew International Student Center (DISC) as well
as the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS).
Both are geared towards helping international students adjust to
the United States and more specifically to Los Angeles. The DISC
provides a full-service orientation program for international
students. The program includes various tours, discussion groups and
language exchanges.
Also benefiting students new to the United States is the OISS.
The OISS offers more specialized services such as counseling on
visa and immigration concerns, monetary issues, and academic,
environmental and cultural transitions for the growing number of
international students at UCLA.
Since the 1950s, the number of non-U.S. residents at UCLA has
increased from several hundred to almost 8,000. The increased
number of international students merits the Tom Bradley Center and
its innovative programs, according to the center’s creators.
However, upon learning the source of the funds for the
construction of the building and implementation of the programs,
some students may have mixed feelings about the Bradley Center.
The total cost of the center will be $12.5 million. While
private funding and the sale of the old international center on
Hilgard are covering part of the center’s construction costs,
On-Campus Housing will fund the majority of the costs .
However, On-Campus Housing is funding the center by raising room
and board prices. But since the majority of students who live on
campus are not international students, the question arises as to
how the center benefits non-international students.
The center will help provide local students with a more global
perspective to life, argues Jack Gibbons, associate director of the
Office of Residential Life. And in combination with On-Campus
Housing, Gibbons believes the center will open students to a more
global world.
In addition to the programs offered to international students,
the Bradley Center will also include an International Cafe, similar
to Puzzles, and will be open to all students.
The Bradley Center is due to open in stages, beginning with the
administrative offices in late October. The entire center should be
in full function by the end of 1997. Organizers added that the
success of the Bradley Center should be determined by the end of
the school year.