Tracy Davis
By Robert Salonga
Daily Bruin Staff
Four months into her tenure, student regent Tracy Davis has,
among other things, sought change in admissions policy, pursued tax
relief for graduate student stipends, and is researching the
effects of on-campus housing on graduation rates.
Davis, who has worked as a reader at the UCLA admissions office
the past five years, said her experience with reviewing
applications prompted her in part to push for an improved
process.
One of the main proposals the University of California Board of
Regents is discussing is comprehensive review, which would
eliminate the two-tiered admissions process now used by the UC.
Currently, 50-75 percent of students accepted into the UC are
admitted based solely on academic criteria, including grade point
average and standardized test scores. The second tier of the class
is admitted based on factors such as economic hardship, athletics
and special achievements.
Under the proposed comprehensive review, all UC applicants would
be reviewed under the same set of standards, with a better balance
between academic criteria and personal situations.
But specific components of the plan have not been established
and are subject to further discussion at next month’s regents
meeting.
Davis said a comprehensive review would allow admissions
officers to identify important non-numerical aspects of
students.
“You can see a good test taker who hasn’t
demonstrated a passion for learning or (who) is
one-dimensional,” Davis said. “With comprehensive
review, you can see the whole student.”
Another issue Davis is pursuing this year involves the taxing of
subsidies and fellowships for graduate students in the UC, who rely
heavily on this aid for tuition and living costs.
Graduate students at UCLA can receive up to $18,196 per year in
aid, which becomes $9,364 after tuition and fees are paid. UCLA is
seventh among the UC campuses in terms of allotting financial aid
to its graduate students.
Recently the Commission on Growth and Support of Graduate
Education found that the UC will need $215 million in aid packages
to attract graduate students and maintain its status as a top
research university.
Davis said graduate students often find it difficult to cover
living costs after their aid has been taxed.
“It’s ludicrous that a fourth of fellowships go back
to the federal government, who is supposedly in support of you
going to school,” she said. “The university needs to
give you what you need to survive.”
As a part of her graduate study ““ she is working toward
her Ph.D. in education ““ Davis is looking at the educational
outcomes and benefits of on-campus housing.
During the course of her ongoing research, she has found that
students who live on campus have faster graduation rates.
“On-campus housing creates a good type of learning
environment, which calls into question why housing is an auxiliary
service,” she said.
Regarding her role, Davis said a student regent should not be
held to the same accountability as an elected representative, since
the position is appointed through an application process.
She also said students with issues involving the regents must
take the initiative to approach her with their concerns.
“Interested students should contact us,” Davis
said.
“Without students providing information about how
they’d like us to vote, we will go on our best
instincts.”