Opinion, Column, Science and Health Omar Said Opinion, Column, Science and Health Omar Said

On-campus health care should be option for all students, not just those with UC SHIP

Health care isn’t the reason students come to UCLA. But it could be the reason they don’t stay.

UCLA’s Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center is charged with addressing the medical needs of students. Paired with Counseling and Psychological Services, the Ashe Center provides students the care they need while being conveniently available on campus.

At least, that’s how it’s meant to be.

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Opinion, Column Omar Said Opinion, Column Omar Said

Westwood fails to offer students both entertainment and basic living essentials

Westwood is still reeling from the debilitating, lingering effects of the previous era, despite the WWNC being replaced by the new North Westwood Neighborhood Council – a council that promises a more student- and business-friendly neighborhood. Despite offering minimum services for students, the Village does not offer options for students looking to fulfill their most basic shopping needs.

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Opinion, Column Omar Said Opinion, Column Omar Said

Use of stereotyped Muslim attire in ROTC training perpetuates Islamophobia

It takes a lot of work to marginalize 3.5 million Americans at once.

But the ROTC did just that when it stereotyped Muslims to portray enemy combatants.

During a training held by UCLA’s and California State University, Fresno’s Army ROTCs in early April, students acting as enemy soldiers in combat simulations wore clothing commonly worn by civilians in Arab countries. The clothing included kufiyyas and iqals, which are better known as the flowing scarves Arab men traditionally wear on their heads.

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Opinion, Column Omar Said Opinion, Column Omar Said

Decision to expand Bruin Bike Share fails to acknowledge program falls flat

You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become a villain. UCLA probably didn’t expect that moment to come for its bike share program so soon.

UCLA started its Bruin Bike Share program last year in an effort to provide affordable transportation to students on and around campus. UCLA said in November, a month after the program had launched, that initial participation in the program had exceeded its expectations: It expected to sell 425 monthly or yearly memberships and ended up selling 498.

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Opinion, Column Omar Said Opinion, Column Omar Said

UCLA must hire diverse faculty for minority students to succeed

There weren’t many people for me to look up to when I grew up. Born and raised an Egyptian in California, I obviously had my parents, but I never really saw someone like me doing big things in science, politics or entertainment.

It felt like I was living in a world that wasn’t built for me – a world that didn’t include me or people like me in its plan for the future. That was all supposed to change after I came to UCLA, one of the most diverse universities in America.

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Opinion, Column Omar Said Opinion, Column Omar Said

Bird’s efforts to respect laws and enhance user safety are not enough

Step aside, Bruin Bear. UCLA has a new contestant for school mascot – the Bird scooter.

One night, the community went to sleep peacefully. The next morning, the Birds had appeared in large packs around the neighborhood – a silent mechanical invasion. They’re black, branded and can be found parked in front of campus buildings or being ridden by students up and down Bruin Walk.

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