Monday, October 5, 1998
Letters
CONVOCATION:
Convocation
sullied by speech
Admittedly, Academic Convocation is not the subject of much
controversy. But apparently, Undergraduate Student Association
Council (USAC) President Stacy Lee wants to change all of that.
Although the program before her ascent to the podium was fairly de
rigueur, it was not exactly unassuming. One could expect to hear a
few words from the chancellor, faculty and the like.
The mood of the event metamorphasized starkly as Lee began her
speech. Where did she think she was – at a Vietnam protest? Lee
deliberately and with incendiary flair announced her views of the
world and how we have much responsibility to the troubles of the
planet. I would like her to attempt this at graduation! President
Lee spared no topic, no person from shame.
Chancellor Carnesale, the University of California Regents, and
all of us loafing students were her targets regarding hunger,
environmentalism, women’s rights and, of course, affirmative
action.
Listening to politicians (which includes President Lee) use
events or situations as sounding boards is common. However, may I
ask what convocation has to do with anything political? May I ask
why President Lee, who I do not think will be allowed to run again,
tried to push her "victim ideology"? Lee is a fifth-year senior,
which means she should concentrate more on graduating in time than
assailing a chancellor who presided over the first registration
cost rollback in recent memory.
Now, President Lee, who is affiliated with the Praxis slate,
could have been advancing party lines. This would have made sense,
at least, but at no point did she explain any part of that! She
valued histrionics over history, and she confused and disgusted me
in one speech.
Personally, I believe that apolitical events, namely
convocation, commencement, homecoming, etc. should stay that way.
President Lee should recognize that more than one first-year
student feels alienated and betrayed by her public policy.
Thomas Soteros-McNamara
First-year
Pre-political science
Comments, feedback, problems?
© 1998 ASUCLA Communications Board