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I would like to comment on the Oct. 27 editorial (“Students need to enjoy union, not just use it”) regarding the shortcomings of Ackerman Union. I agree that Ackerman Union could improve in its ability to be a social center. ASUCLA is interested in improving the facility and creating a student union that is central to student life. But rather than put all the responsibility on ASUCLA management to make these improvements, I’d like to appeal to the campus community for additional ideas to bring life to Ackerman and make it a more vibrant place.

ASUCLA does have long-term projects that are in the planning stages to improve the student union – including additional meeting rooms, study lounges and even a pub. Most projects would need additional funding and would possibility require an increase in the student union fee. I encourage students, administrators and student government to support these efforts.

The current $7.50 fee is one of the lowest in the country. But with all the other current increases in student fees, this is probably not the year to request an additional increase for the Ackerman Union.

Still, having activity in Ackerman is indeed in everyone’s best interest – activity adds to the excitement and vibrancy on campus. So, I’d like to issue an invitation to student groups to use the Ackerman facility in ways that possibly may not have been considered before.

Every evening, as I leave work, I am struck by the plethora of life on campus. Wednesday night a group of women were taking advantage of the acoustics in the northwest stairwell of Ackerman Union to practice singing a capella. Often, various student groups are practicing cultural dance on the McClure Stage. Maybe Ackerman suffers from the Mediterranean climate the UCLA campus is privileged to enjoy, but practices and performances of the appropriate scale could be scheduled in the very visible and accessible Viewpoint Lounge.

The commons area of the UCLA Store could even be utilized for appropriate presentations. Last year we asked for volunteers to read their favorite poetry in the UCLA Store to celebrate National Poetry Month. From my own college days, I remember an empty study lounge that typically aired soap operas in the afternoon transformed one day by a faculty member who threw a birthday party for Gertrude Stein.

Ackerman Union does have its problems, but the comparison of a bustling Kerckhoff Coffee House on a Sunday afternoon, and an empty Terrace Food Court on 1st Floor of Ackerman Union the same afternoon was a little unfair. While Ackerman might be empty on a Sunday afternoon, the very same Terrace Food Court is often filled to capacity at noon on any weekday. This epitomizes the challenge Ackerman faces as the student union at UCLA.

If the request is to provide intimate gathering spaces, how can the same space house the large crowds requiring service at peak times? In fact this particular area of Ackerman does double duty. Much of the campus community might not be aware that when this area is not providing space to eat lunch at noon, it is one of four locations on campus where students can access wireless internet service. Can we think of ways to transform some of these big areas so they can the accommodate traffic on the busiest days, and be intimate spaces during off-hours?

I hope the dialogue to improve Ackerman Union continues. And I appeal to all parts of the campus community – student government, student groups, student media, faculty, staff and ASUCLA to think of more creative ways to use the facility and bring more life to Ackerman.

Perez is the ASUCLA director of marketing.