By now you probably have been congratulated and praised by every
other person both inside and outside of UCLA for being admitted
here. It is well-deserved recognition.
As I reflect on my own admission five years ago and my college
experience since then, I am confronted with one simple truth
““ were I to have applied with you all, I know I would not be
your Undergraduate Students Association Council president today. I
would not be a Bruin.
With admission to the University of California cut by enrollment
caps and skyrocketing student fees over the past two years, UCLA
grows more exclusive every day.
You are one of approximately 43,000 students who applied to the
school, and you are one of only about 10,000 students who made it
into UCLA this year.
This is the most sought-after university in the nation. But our
governor is seeking to balance the state’s fiscal crisis by
divesting funds from education and health services. Instead of
enhancing our institutions of higher learning to better meet
California’s growing need, the state had to deny access to
many UC-eligible students.
For a student from an underserved community whose family
can’t afford an SAT prep course or whose school doesn’t
offer Advanced Placement courses, the chance of being admitted is
very slim.
Though most expect to find great diversity of people in Los
Angeles ““ one of the most diverse cities in one of the most
diverse nations ““ I must warn you to prepare for an extreme
lack of diversity at UCLA.
This year’s admissions at UCLA included only about 16
percent minority students. Some communities even face total
extinction from this university ““ there are fewer than 200
black student, and American Indians number fewer than that.
I am sad to inform you that you will not be able to enjoy
““ to the extent I have enjoyed ““ the richness that
comes from learning of different cultures.
So, as one of the few students given the opportunity to attend
UCLA, from my generation to yours, I ask you for a favor. Realize
that as a UCLA student you hold enormous power. As I’ve
listed above, the university faces a great deal of problems, and,
as an incoming student, you are not receiving the quality education
you deserve. But, as a UCLA student, you have the potential to
change this situation.
We Bruins inherit a proud legacy of student activism, making not
only UCLA but the world a better place.
Only a few years ago students helped repair an unfair admissions
system, guaranteeing everyone’s application gets read at
least twice.
When you get involved in campus life, whether joining an
organization, student government or a community service program,
you open up a whole world of learning. As a student, doing these
things will help you maximize your educational experience at
UCLA.
It’s not easy to be a student leader. Still I have faith
that you will rise to the responsibility to leave this university
better than we found it, to make this university more accessible,
not less.
This responsibility calls to each and every one of us because,
as a result of the selectivity of this university, we must be
cognizant of our role in representing all those who deserve to be
here but are not.
I ask you to struggle with other student leaders and me on this
campus to preserve a long tradition of fighting for social justice
and equality.
Palma/Saracho is the Undergraduate Students Association
Council president.