California State Assemblymember Ed Hernandez and his wife Diane are proud parents of UCLA second-year and pre-psychology major Jennifer Hernandez.
My wife Diane and I were very proud when we learned that our daughter Jennifer was accepted to UCLA. From the start, we were adamant that she live on campus. This was not out of any selfish motivation to have the house to ourselves — although it has been quite a bit quieter; we simply thought it was important Jennifer have the full college experience. We knew it would be hard for us to see our little girl growing up and moving in to her new life at school. And though we are only a 30-minute drive from the campus, we thought she needed the space. This was probably one of the best decisions we could have made.
Jennifer was always an active teenager, involved with school and constantly volunteering with a variety of organizations. Her life at UCLA has been no different. Jennifer has performed well in her classes, been active in a variety of campus organizations, attended numerous events, and most recently pledged a sorority. It has been an adjustment for us to not see her every day, but we have been rewarded by watching our daughter blossom into an independent and confident young woman.
While living on campus may not be an option for every student, the important point is to encourage your son or daughter to take full advantage of their time at UCLA. In fact, we have discovered that the best way to be involved with our daughter’s life at UCLA is to support her staying active and engaged in both her academic and campus life. This has allowed us to be a part of Jennifer’s life while giving her the room she needs to grow into an adult.
As a parent of a UCLA student, you are already a part of the UCLA Parent & Family Association; since you are reading this, you are obviously receiving the Bruinlink Newsletter. I would encourage you to use the regular communication from UCLA as the starting point, not the end, of your involvement in your child’s life at UCLA. There are many activities at UCLA where parents are invited and encouraged to attend, including concerts and sporting events, and there are even leadership opportunities you can take advantage of by becoming a part of the UCLA Parents’ Council.
As a state legislator, I believe it is important for you to be involved with the parent and family advocacy efforts at UCLA. Parents who participate in these advocacy activities are the people who help carry UCLA’s message to local, state, and federal officials on a wide variety of issues. Speaking as someone who has been on the receiving end of these visits, nobody conveys UCLA’s point better than a constituent with a son or daughter at the campus. With our economic climate the way it is now, it is critical that we do all we can to emphasize to our elected officials the importance and value of our public universities.
I strongly encourage all parents and guardians to find the way that works best for them to be involved with their child’s life at UCLA. Whether you donate to the school, advocate on its behalf, attend events, or participate in activities sponsored by UCLA Parent Programs, the important thing is to be involved.
– Bruinlink -
Bruinlink Suggested Reading List:
Recommended books about the transition to college for you and your student