UCLA Library Incident

I'm appalled.

Recently a California student entered into Powell Library, one of the UCLA university libraries, but did not (or was not able to) show his student ID. After a bit of commotion, the university police stepped in and used unnecessary violent force to remove the student from his own facility. The police repeatedly shocked him with tasers as they alternatively dragged him to the exit and dropped him in order to shock him. While the student is pissed at first, after being tased multiple times he becomes hysterical, stating that he would leave, and then going limp after they repeatedly attack him.


I've included the video so you can see for yourself. Watch the entire thing. I've got to warn you, though, it's definately above PG-13 for violence and brutality.

The police obviously have no reason to use such violent force to remove someone. After the repeated shocking, the police are able to simply pick the student up and remove him. The authorities should have removed him sooner, rather than use the force they did. The victim shows no signs of struggle and poses no armed threat to the university police. I see no reason, whatsoever, to use ANY FORCE AT ALL in a situation such as this.

Of course, the policemen deserve due process before judgment, as UCLA chancellor
Norman Abrams is so keen to state. However, the cold manner in which UCLA has dealt with this incident has lowered their standing as an academic institution in my eyes.

After years of studying academic leadership, one gains insight into methods of transferring empowerment and information within institutions. Still, it doesn't take a great level of knowledge to know that students don't learn if they do not feel safe. This goes for everything ranging from reports of physical brutality to fear caused by social violence, such as that fear experienced by LGBT students during school. It's hard to empower someone who is afraid to say anything or express themselves for fear of being beaten or tased.

Regardless of whether this display of brutal force in Powell Library is right or not, UCLA will be affected by the attitude now growing within their campus. The perception of freedom is so easily lost when it comes to academic communities. Once something like this happens, it's incredibly difficult to reinstate the confidence that fosters empowerment and learning.

Funny enough, I was looking at UCLA's website just as someone informed me of what had happened. I've been thinking of Graduate Schools to apply to and I had heard wonderful things about the program at UCLA. However, I guarantee you that UCLA won't be the same after this incident and the way the university responded to the shocking news.

If I had invested so much in a UCLA degree, I would be pissed that this had happened. Not only is this a horrible thing to happen at any university, but the value of that diploma just dropped dramatically. I'm sad that UCLA doesn't have better leadership than it does. It could be such a great university.