Bob Williams, the next Associated Students UCLA executive
director, will lead the association during a critical period of
transformation. His decisions and leadership in the near future
will shape how ASUCLA spends tens of millions of dollars of student
fees.
To successfully lead the organization, which has had a
tumultuous financial history, he must strive to make ASUCLA once
again relevant to students. Williams must work with the board of
directors and restore the union to its student roots by fighting
against the food-court/mall mentality that has trumped student
concerns in recent years.
Williams has worked for ASUCLA for 25 years ““ first as a
food service worker, and more recently as the assistant director
for food services and the interim executive director. On Friday,
the student-majority ASUCLA board of directors chose Williams to
become the next permanent director.
His appointment comes only two weeks after the passage of the
SAFE referendum that will raise annual ASUCLA fees from $7.50 to
$55.50 per student by 2009-2010. After 2010, the fee will increase
to keep pace with inflation.
A large portion of the increased funding will go to building
important capital projects, including a completely new eatery in
place of the Bombshelter.
Other projects include improvements in Ackerman Union and the
eventual reconstruction of the North Campus Student Center.
But before any of that work begins, Williams must collaborate
with the board of directors to ensure the plans are solid. As
recently as last month, the board had not hired an architect or
drawn up plans for the construction projects. Members of the board
also admitted that they still needed to probe student opinion
before committing to a course of action.
Two weeks ago at an ASUCLA meeting, Williams noted ASUCLA
expected to start a new capital project every year for the next 10
years. He also said ASUCLA would be “going forward as fast as
we can.”
It is true that timing is important, but ASUCLA should be
willing to start slow and make sure its planning is impeccable
before ground is broken and foundations are laid.
Williams should also carefully consider non-construction
improvements to ASUCLA. Part of the SAFE referendum mandates a
50-cent wage increase for student employees. That is a good start,
but it is important that the initial increase be followed by annual
increases that keep the wages well above minimum wage. ASUCLA jobs
have historically been coveted by students, and ASUCLA should work
to continue that tradition.
It is equally important that prices be kept affordable at
ASUCLA’s retail stores. It’s nice to think about
remodeled facilities and attractive stores, but all of that effort
will be wasted if ASUCLA merchandise is dramatically overpriced. A
remodeled building cannot attract customers if the prices inside
are too high.
Williams is a long-time ASUCLA insider, and has the experience
to do the job, but he should try to think outside the box. Relying
on existing assumptions about the needs and wants of students might
or might not work out.