Protest Over Chicano Studies

Ruben Navarrette Jr. (Opinion, May 16) describes the UCLA Faculty Center as “the right target” for the May 11 demonstration. I wonder if he knows that the Faculty Center is a private organization that pays its own way with the help of its members’ monthly dues. Membership is voluntary. The center advocates no ideology, and represents neither the faculty nor the administration. Those who eat (and pay for) their lunches there, both faculty and staff, themselves face severe program and salary cuts, like everybody at the UC.

These people smashed windows within a few feet of our lunch tables. They rifled a purse, stole a wallet and tossed car keys in a toilet. Walls were defaced, honorary plaques cut. Losses may reach $50,000.

We are thankful that no one was hurt, and grateful to the campus administration and the center staff for acting quickly to prevent further damage. The question that remains, however, is whether this is an acceptable way to advocate change. I hope your readers will agree that it is not.

PAUL D. SHEATS, President

UCLA Faculty Center