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Of the several thousand seniors who will graduate from UCLA this spring, many have begun taking active steps necessary to ensure their success for the years to come.

However, the class of 2003 will graduate in a time that seems more uncertain about its own future than the graduates are about their own. We live in a era in which leaders deciding foreign policy seem bent on armed conflict.

This world has been turned around since Sept. 11. Our environment is charged with ongoing debates centered race and diversity. We are also living in a time with the highest unemployment rate since the last recession. Such circumstances may cause students to ask the question: “Hey, just why am I graduating?”

In order to progress, however, we must look back at where we have come. Collectively, we have learned a lot from our UCLA experiences. Before we go, there are some truths about the campus we should impart to entering freshmen who may not know what to expect.

1.) Construction will not stop here at UCLA. It does not matter if a project finishes; the university will find something else that needs to be refurbished, repainted, retiled, etc. While some buildings are in dire need of repair – like the Men’s gym, that, before undergoing construction, still had cracks from the 1996 Northridge earthquake, and the Wooden Recreation Center that definitely needs to expand – other buildings you did not even know existed will also be repaired. Such observations make you wonder how much student fees would decrease if some of these important projects were abolished.

2.) Saying there is a lack of diversity on this campus is an understatement. Remember seeing all the brochures stating UCLA is one of the most diverse schools in the nation? Since the end of Proposition 209, diversity continues to decrease, especially for blacks. Only 281 out of a total of 10,507 freshmen admits for fall 2003 are black.

Even if you believe UCLA is diverse, truthfully it is probably one of the most segregated campuses – perhaps as fragmented as the city of Los Angeles itself. Hopefully the students returning to Westwood in the fall and future admits alike will pursue solutions to our lack of diversity.

3.) UCLA football and basketball were not up to par these past four years. The class of 2003 must be one of the first classes to witness four consecutive losses to the Trojans at the Rose Bowl. In fact, before fall 1999, the Bruins were on an eight-year winning streak. Most of us wanted Lavin fired after our freshman year, but are content with the new dawn now awaiting the basketball program. Dan Guerrero, Ben Howland and Karl Dorrel are welcome presences to programs needing definite improvement.

4.) Tragedies struck. Looking back, we will never forget the night that Michael Negrete disappeared from Dykstra Hall, never again to return. I will always remember where I was when the twin towers fell and my reaction when I heard of the loss of our very own Cynthia Rabuy – who would have graduated with us this spring, but will now be honored posthumously. The recent hate crimes have made many students aware that we are not immune to the presence of hate. These are things that have made us more aware and stronger.

6.) Amidst the turmoil, victories also prevailed. SP-1 and SP-2 – the standing policies implemented after the end of affirmative action – were repealed. UCLA won countless numbers of Pac-10 and NCAA championships in various sports, including soccer, water polo and track. Workers continue to unionize at UCLA thanks to the efforts of the dedicated UCLA Center for Labor Research and Education.

7.) On March 5th, we saw almost a thousand students join in solidarity with millions around the world to make statements supporting peace and not war. These little successes are ones that many will remember and continue to reminisce about for years to come.

As you graduate from UCLA, definitely remember what you have learned here. Remember the classes, remember the friendships, and most importantly, do not forget that because UCLA has given to you in many ways, you must give back to those around you. Through good and bad, we have learned invaluable lessons we can take past graduation and into the world.

Smith is a fourth-year political science student. E-mail him at rsmith@media.ucla.edu.