Speaks Out

Recently, the university decided to cut down 50
eucalyptus trees perceived as potentially dangerous in order to
maximize campus safety. Some, however, believe measures should have
been taken to identify and cut down only those trees offering an
immediate risk. What do you think about the university’s
decision? Bruce Sunter Campus visitor
“It ruined the whole look of the street and the entrance to
the campus. It used to be shady and a little more environmentally
friendly. Now you come up and all you can see are the faces of the
brick buildings; it’s kind of barren looking. I don’t
like the way it looks.” Erin Lobo Third-year
Neuroscience and world arts and cultures “I’m really
sad because the trees were good for shade. I think it would have
been good to have been given notice beforehand. Knowing that it was
going to happen would have been nice, instead of coming to campus
one day and seeing big holes instead of trees.” Nick
Donatoni Fourth-year Mechanical engineering “If
trimming the trees would have worked, I would have preferred to do
that. It gave a certain kind of atmosphere to UCLA. I would have
asked students ““ and maybe set up a student committee ““
to determine what what they wanted to replace the trees with, or to
at least have a say in the decision.” Dan
Deming Third-year School of Medicine “I’m not
a huge environmentalist, but I’m sure they had a good reason
for cutting the trees down. It’s kind of rude just taking
them down and answering questions later, but I don’t think
anybody would have been able to fight it or preserve them. I
don’t see anything wrong with what they did. They did it to
make the campus safe, and that’s more important than saving a
couple of old trees.” John Boiko Storekeeper
School of engineering and applied science “I think it’s
a good idea for the trees to be cut down. Some of these trees are
so old they get brittle and bugged. I think interior-wise, where
they are not in the roadway, the trees can stay, but I agree with
the officials. Even though it’s a shame they have to do it,
I’d rather lean on the side of safety rather than
anything.” Tiffany Lee Third-year
Psychobiology “Cutting down the trees takes away from the
aesthetic beauty of the school ““ they smell good too.
It’s so boring in South Campus; there was only one tree in
front of the medical plaza and they cut it down. I think they
should have trimmed them so they were not so top-heavy, and they
definitely should have approached the UCLA community about the
matter.” Speaks Out compiled by Ed Chiao, Daily Bruin Senior
Staff. Photos by Courtney Stewart, Daily Bruin Staff.