UCLA may be located in one of the most diverse cities in the
world, but its student population hardly reflects that fact. Like
most UC campuses, UCLA admits a shamefully low number of minority
students each year.
This year, only about 16 percent of the admitted class was
minority students. In a state rapidly moving toward a Latino
majority, that is clearly a problem. Perhaps even more alarming,
the number of black students admitted dropped to 199 this year
““ the lowest number in recent memory.
These low numbers may be further exacerbated in coming years by
weakened outreach funding and constantly rising student fees. Gov.
Arnold Schwarzenegger has proven that higher education access is
not one of his top priorities.
Without a way to increase community outreach and consider race
and ethnicity in the admissions process, UCLA will be stuck with an
unnaturally homogeneous population.
Everyone says that diversity is a goal ““ it’s time
for the state and the university to devote the necessary resources
to realize that goal.
The Daily Bruin Editorial Board reflects on the strengths
and weaknesses of UCLA at the end of spring quarter. Considering
news events, people, policies and trends, the board has compiled a
list of UCLA’s best and UCLA’s worst. The remaining
“best and worst” editorials will run this
week.