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By Tina Park

One of the best shortcuts to avoid Bruin Walk on your way to class is to go through the UCLA Store in Ackerman Union, up the elevators to the second floor, across the bridge to Kerckhoff Hall, past the coffeehouse, and through Kerckhoff Patio.

Though many students use this shortcut, they don’t realize the history and uniqueness of their student union.

The Associated Students UCLA is one of the only student-owned and student-operated student unions in the country. ASUCLA is financially overseen by a board of directors with a majority of student members – four undergraduates and four graduates.

And unlike the boards of other student unions, the decisions made by the students on ASUCLA’s board can direct the association’s management to take action on a number of issues.

The bridge in the shortcut connects Ackerman to one of the oldest buildings on campus: Kerckhoff Hall.

Owned and operated by students since its dedication in 1931, Kerckhoff Hall houses the Daily Bruin and other student media outlets, undergraduate and graduate student government offices and its own art gallery that often features student-produced art.

The Kerckhoff Coffeehouse you pass on your way to class is only one of the over 10 food facilities on campus overseen by ASUCLA.

The coffeehouse is a source of live jazz on Monday nights, open mic on Thursday nights and free coffee during finals week. Just down the hall in Kerckhoff are large study lounges outfitted with large couches and plenty of tables.

ASUCLA strives to be the best student union in the country, with the purpose of providing the support and services students need to succeed at UCLA.

With the recent passage of the SAFE referendum – named for its relevance to students, activities, facilities and employees – ASUCLA will be able to provide better food options, more money for student organizations and higher wages for student employees.

This means our student union, which is ranked in the top five by a UC Berkeley study, can stay responsive to your needs on campus.

So remember: Every time you purchase a meal or a notebook from ASUCLA, you keep the elevator in the UCLA Store working and the rest of the facilities functioning so you can keep using that shortcut.

Park is an undergraduate representative on the ASUCLA Board of Directors.