Daily Bruin Alumni News

News Update
Campus Update: F'ballers to NFL; Gymnastics, ouch!; Nanomaterials, ouch, maybe
UCLA news from April 28 – May 2

Panel discusses possible harms of nanomaterials
A panel of lawyers, scientists, and other professionals gathered at a nanotechnology summit at UCLA to discuss concerns regarding nanomaterials used in a variety of products. These tiny particles can exert harmful effects on the body as they react with tissues in the body, causing increased stress, or even cell death. Panelists did not reach agreement over whether the nanotechnology industry should be immediately regulated by safety guidelines, although they all reached the conclusion that the dangers of nanomaterials are not fully understood.

Gymnastics edged out of Super Six Team Finals
A mistake on the balance beam tipped the Bruins off-balance and out of the NCAA Super Six Team Finals last weekend. Missing the cut by 0.175 points, the Bruins were edged out by Georgia, Utah, and Stanford, which placed first, second, and third (respectively) in the Finals.

Three Bruins chosen in NFL Draft
This year only three Bruins were selected during the NFL Draft; Bruce Davis was chosen for the Pittsburg Steelers with the No. 88 overall pick, Matthew Slater was chosen by the New England Patriots at No. 153, and Chris Horton selected for Washington with the 249th overall pick. The players were content with the results, but it was another poor showing for UCLA in the NFL Draft, especially compared to USC’s 10 players chosen. UCLA was not selected until the third round, and other top Pac-10 schools had more players drafted, including California with six and five Arizona State players.

Sex assault near Drake
Last Thursday night, a woman reported being sexually assaulted at knifepoint near Drake Stadium. The suspect is described as a Hispanic male at 5 feet 9 inches, late 20s, and about 190 pounds with short black hair. Fortunately police community services say this is an isolated incident and is not typical on campus.

New director to lead UCLA center, resort
Steve Caloca has been appointed the new director of the Lake Arrowhead Conference Center and Bruin Woods Family Resort. This position includes overseeing all conference center operations in addition to the sales and development of the 40-acre resort in Lake Arrowhead. Caloca aims to focus on guest and worker morale and the guest retention rate. This resort is a part of UCLA’s Housing and Hospitality Services department and is a popular location for retreats and conferences for corporations, educational groups and other organizations.

UCLA Law to expand endowment
UCLA School of Law launched a campaign to raise $100 million dollars. This starts a four and a half year effort to make up the declining financial support from the state of California. Ten years ago, the state provided 75 percent of the school’s budget. However, that number has currently dropped to 30 percent. The School of Law has already received $44.3 million from large donations and hopes to have the remaining $56 million come from the alumni circuit.

UC president-elect discusses budget-cut concerns, policy plans
University of California President elect Mark G. Yudof took on questions and concerns about budget cuts and funding. Yudof expressed trimming administrative costs and offering online courses to help save money. He advocates low student fees and higher salaries for university professors, but fears that the changes in the state budget could result in loss of important programs or larger class sizes. He is also worried that the lending market will offer fewer loans to students, therefore hopes to make scholarship availability a priority.

Former employee indicted for selling medical information
The Los Angeles Times has reported that Lawanda Jackson, a former employee at the UCLA Medical Center, has been indicted for selling the information from files of well-known patients to the media. Documents show that Jackson had arrangements with media outlets to exchange medical information for money. Jackson could face up to 10 years in prison if found guilty.

Fees would turn UCLA green
From May 5 to May 8, undergraduate students will have the chance to vote on a new referendum called “The Green Initiative Fund” that would increase student fees by $4 to pay for future environmental projects. These projects would be run off approximately $200,000 (from the increased student fees) and would focus on limiting UCLA’s impact on the environment.

Holocaust survivors share stories, keep memories alive
On May 1, the UCLA Jewish Student Union hosted two Holocaust survivors to share their stories in honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day. Survivors Frieda Eisen and Max Webb were both sent to concentration camps when they were young and have dedicated their lives to educating students about their experiences. The Jewish Student Union viewed these personal recounts as a means to forever remember the horrors that happened in the Holocaust, but also to remind everyone that genocide still continues to happen every single day.

Performers dazzle crowd at annual Spring Sing
Spring Sing took place Friday night, featuring student performances as well as the acceptance of the George and Ira Gershwin Award by legend Lionel Richie. The show drew in a sold-out crowd of more than 5,300 people. The masses gathered to see a collection of UCLA’s best musical performers, who had beat approximately 70 applicants to get the 15 coveted performing spots of the night.

Compiled by Megan Smith, Tiffany Hsia, Carolina Chau, Jenna Kiselbach and Aleen Bedrosian.

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