I GET Disrespected

Let me start this article by saying, I love UCLA, I really do. I think it is definitely hands down the best university out there. Heck, we even beat out Yale in terms of Dream Schools.The True Bruin Statement says the following: As a Bruin, I Commit Myself to the Highest Ethical Standards

Integrity: I will conduct myself with integrity in my dealings with & on behalf of the University.

Excellence: I will conscientiously strive for excellence in my work.

Accountability: I will be accountable as an individual & member of this community for my ethical conduct.

Respect: I will respect the rights & dignity of others.

Service: I will make an impact in our global community through public service.

I take that code seriously and every day I try to uphold those standards laid out in the True Bruin Statement. That being said, it doesn’t mean you get to disrespect me when I come to you seeking your assistance. This wasn’t some cashier who might be stressed out over finals having a bad day, this is correspondence sent on the university’s behalf done in such a childish and rude manner that I couldn’t believe it. It was so bad that even my 11 year old son was appalled by the letter. I petitioned to see if I could get my IGETC certified and I gave them a list of reasons why it should be, this is what I got back from the university:

You cannot have it both ways. You either have full/partial IGETC certification from your community college -or- you are held to all of UCLA’s GE requirements. Your DARS indicates a UCLA-based GE science lab transfer credit but your community college evaluated the two science courses that you took as *non-lab.* The committee understands your circumstances but cannot make an exception. If taking a fifth class in S15 is nota an option, you are advised to find a transferable GE-science with lab credit from a community college or other transfer school. As such, please make plans (financial, logistical, family, degree term) accordingly. You are on an IGETC-1 contract: (1) Complete one applicable GE-science lab (from the UCLA GE list or a transfer school). (2) Earn a letter grade only of minimum “C.” After satisfying the conditions, please return to Window 2, A316 Murphy (M-F 8:30am-4:30pm) so we can update your record.

This is the actual transcript. There was no addressing me by name (and yes, I understand it would be under my record so it is not like anyone else would read it, however if you are professional you still start all correspondence with someone’s name out of courtesy and respect.)  The tone was arrogant and flippant-you can’t have it both ways. Really? Why not tell me to go jump off a bridge?  A more professional person would said “We regret to inform you after much consideration and deliberation that we are unable to grant your petition for fulfilling your IGETC.”

I don’t know who wrote this but it shows a lack of character and professionalism. I am 45 I don’t need nor want to be coddled, I just don’t want to be treated like I am something from the bottom of someone’s shoe either. It wasn’t about the denial, I could deal with that. What I wonder about is, is this unprofessionalism a symptom of larger problem at UCLA? If you can’t write a simple denial letter without being rude and condescending, how is UCLA being represented in the academic arena when these same people have to interact with the public? There is already enough public relations problems at UCLA.  About a month ago, the USAC didn’t want to appoint a Jewish student to the judiciary because SHE WAS JEWISH and they felt she would be biased. This is the same USAC that wanted to divest from Israel and has continually shown anti-Israel/Jewish bias.

Obviously, whoever wrote this thinks it is acceptable to be uncivil and discourteous to students, just as USAC thought they were in their rightst to be discriminatory towards a well qualified Jewish student. UCLA really needs to tighten up their public relations image and instead of trying to teach the students about diversity, maybe hold a few courses on basic respect for both students and administrators. At the very least teach them about the True Bruin Statement because obviously they do not know what it is and  they are failing quite miserably at upholding it.