Residential Activism at UCLA

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What’s the difference between being a resident activist at UCLA and a student there? The activists get paid.

“The 2019 residency will take place during the winter quarter from January 7 – March 31, but Residents may extend their appointment through the spring quarter which ends June 30,” the Bunche Center at UCLA announces. “Each Resident Activist will receive a part-time UCLA appointment, a $7,500 stipend, and may receive up to $2,500 in research support through expense reimbursement (e.g., to host workshops with UCLA students and community residents, to hire a UCLA research assistant, etc.).”

“In addition, the Residents will receive office space at the Luskin School of Public Affairs, paid parking and campus access to UCLA Library research facilities. This residency does not include benefits.” [Hey, maybe they can start a union]

“Two fellows for the 2019 Activist-in-Residence program will be selected: one for the UCLA Asian American Studies Center and one for the Institute on Inequality and Democracy.”

The qualifications for an activist residency are roughly the same as the qualifications for being a student at UCLA, or, at least, like they would describe a good chunk of the student body there, except for the second to last. The one before that makes it look like they’re getting ready for the Caravan:

“Interested applicants must:

• “Be 18 years or older.

• Live and work in the Los Angeles region.

• Be available part-time during the residency period (January 7 – June 30, 2019).

• Currently work full-time or have recently held a senior leadership position at a community organization or government agency that works with underserved low-income, immigrant, and/or communities of color.

• Be committed to working for social justice.

• Be committed to building a cross-disciplinary network of leaders and scholars.

• Present a clearly articulated statement about what the Resident hopes to gain from the fellowship and what issues s/he plans to explore. For example, how resources would be used for reflection and renewal, in addition to working on and addressing a complex challenge in her/his field.

• Be able to converse in English and/or provide a translator for all group meetings.

• Not be a current university student or employee.

• Submit all requested information by the application deadline: Friday, November 2, 2018, 5 p.m.”

One might wonder what shortage they are trying to address if they didn’t inform us that they want to “Increase the participation of progressive thought leaders 1) at every level of government 2) in nonprofit organizations and 3) in groups that influence public policy and grassroots organizing.”