Next year, undergraduates will be represented by either an
advocate, a reformer or a chicken. Despite the appeal of the latter
two possibilities, there is little doubt that Jenny Wood is the
most capable candidate.
As a general representative this year, Wood proved her
dedication to addressing student concerns.
Wood has helped launch Dance Marathon into a celebrated
tradition, facilitated easier STD testing, and worked to provide
$15,000 in relief for tsunami victims by organizing a dodgeball
tournament.
She is a leader with concrete accomplishments and worthwhile
goals, even though some of her campaigns were misguided and
mishandled.
The council’s vindictive campaign against the expected
cumulative progress requirement, led by Wood at many points, is the
best example of how her good intentions can go awry.
By alienating administrators instead of working with them, the
council’s angry and hyperbolic campaign has made it less
likely that students and ECP will peacefully co-exist anytime
soon.
But the other presidential candidates simply lack the experience
and vision she offers.
Her ambitious goal to help create an alternative admissions
program ““ similar to UC Berkeley’s Summer Bridge
program ““ would help underrepresented students prepare for
the rigors of UCLA academics.
Beyond working toward a more diverse campus, Wood also has clear
goals that would benefit students.
Improved space and resources for student organizations,
facilitating collaboration between student groups, expanding
Welcome Week and ensuring health care caters to student needs
(particularly at the Ashe Center) are all meaningful and realistic
goals.
Unfortunately, one goal Wood doesn’t discuss is that of
reform.
Alex Gruenberg, Wood’s most serious opponent, is
evangelical about reform within the undergraduate government.
It’s not that Gruenberg is wrong: USAC is an archaic,
unrepresentative and broken system that has continually proven how
desperately it needs structural change.
The Daily Bruin editorial board is not convinced a Gruenberg
presidency is a prerequisite for such change. And, because
Gruenberg holds few goals beyond reform, he simply lacks the
characteristics necessary of UCLA’s top student leader.
While constitutional tweaks and bylaw changes are vital, they
are also devoid of inspiration.
However, it is extremely worrisome that Wood has been so
naïvely critical of any structural changes.
Wood’s party-line disdain of the senate system and absurd
support for closed-session funding deliberations are unjustifiable.
Hopefully Wood will act more reasonably next year when the Students
First! power bubble finally pops.
And then there’s the chicken.
Jake Strom, notorious for the bright yellow bird suit he’s
worn around campus, is a charismatic enigma.
He claims to have avoided endorsement hearings with student
groups and the Daily Bruin because he doesn’t want to pander
to special interests ““ however it is more likely because he
has little to offer on the issues USAC presidents must address.
We welcome Strom’s candid humor. He expresses the same
frustration with USAC’s petty ineffectiveness as this board
often does.
Though comic relief is great during the campaign, there is no
question that Strom would be an ineffective president.
USAC is boring. And, while it needs some excitement, Strom is
not the guy to appoint a hundred committee members and learn
Roberts’ Rules of Order. He’ll have more time and
energy to turn around this often-lifeless campus if he’s not
president of USAC.
For the first time in many years, the undergraduate council will
not be ruled by one monolithic slate.
And because of that, we are convinced Jenny Wood will be an
effective and collaborative leader.