University of California Los Angeles - Bruin Life / Southern Campus Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

Page 25 text:

web of interlocking buildings whose sole purpose is function. Another hard-core symbol of UCLA ' s world-reknowned academics is the nearby Molecular Biology Institute, hiding its hard working cancer researchers behind columns of smoked windows. Boelter Hall plays upon your fears in its frustrating, fluorescent maze of hallways--and if you take one wrong turn, you may run smack into the REACTOR (no one seems to really know exactly where it is...). As you move towards central campus, open space becomes a friendly element in the new John Wooden Center. Its spacious lobby and walkway extend down the building ' s skylit center and invite people to stop and visit while on their way to a handball court or gymnasium. And the even wider spaces afforded by nature lend serenity to buildings on the north end of campus. The Murphy Sculpture Garden provides both inspiration and relaxation for Fine Arts majors, and anyone else wishing to ponder life amidst artistic culture. However, before entering the sanctuary, you must sneak past the monolithic Bunche Hall, that appears to guard the gardens from any concrete civilization. The UCLA landscape remains, in a state of change as new buildings are constructed, others near completion, and existing structures undergo major renovations. The current attitude with studednts is that once construction is complete, the campus will attain a new freshness. But when they take a closer look, they suddenly realize that the campus is already attractive...even if construction never ends.

Page 27 text:

TRADITIONS As is traditional for all major schools of higher learning, UCLA has become the home of many a time honored memory (get it? as is traditional ...oh, never mind). Yes, long before Bear Wear became the thing to be seen in over in Tokyo, or the little peeking man made his little mark on bruin life, the roots of good tradition were forming and taking hold of the University of California ' s first southern campus. For example: Mardi Gras, which got its start in 1941, still benefits UNICAMP, the university ' s summer camp for underpriviledged children. This event (referred to by many as the event) now spans the entire intramural field once a year with its complete carnival of brightly lit rides, clowns, balloons, and students. Without a doubt lines are fast becoming a major tradition at UCLA. Getting things done on campus usually means dealing with this new tradition, whether you need books, food, check cashing, priority tickets, or computer printouts. For sure, waiting in line at Uc-la is one established tradition that everyone takes part in sooner or later. Perhaps the dominant tradition at schools as huge and diverse as UCLA is that of not having any clue what the real traditions are supposed to be. Some have been overcome by pure myth while others have simply been forgotten. For example, did you know that if one was to step on the U.C. symbol embedded in the floor of Powell Libarary, one does not graduate? Where the hell is Founder ' s Rock ? (answer: next to Murphy Hall)...did you ever memorize the lyrics to the fight song? Ok then! True, in recent years new traditions have been born while a few old ones have been sucked into the decrepid vacuum of forgotten nothingness. Individuality seems to be the key these days. So who cares if you never read The Daily Bruin on a daily basis? Does it really matter that you can ' t remember the fight song? Hey, at least you won ' t forget the famous eight-clap ending! Traditionally speaking, one should only remember what matters...that ' s as good a tradition as any.