Richard Bergman on Pauley's Renovation

An opinion/column in today's LAT from Richard Bergman about Pauely's renovation and the financial challenges relating to it.

Bergman's opinions are important because, as the LAT indicates, he served as chairman of Pauley Pavillion's Campaign of Champions Executive Committee from 2006 until March 2009 "when he was asked by the university to step down after he voiced his objections to the new design and financing plans."

over 2 years ago Barnes2JJ 5 comments 1 recs |

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I think I have been clear about my concerns about the current plan

But there is a time for raising concerns, and there is a time for closing ranks and supporting the effort.

I was very disappointed in Richard Bergman’s article because it does nothing to help UCLA or provide a positive way forward. At this point it appears personal with him, and I think he is putting his emotions before the well being of the university.

I was originally very interested in Richard’s ideas, but this op ed showed me he is much more concerned about getting his way than doing what is right for the university. He fought a battle, he lost, and now its time to close ranks, not go to the media and bad mouth UCLA. Very disappointing.

"when you've seen how big the world is, how can you make due with this?"

by silverlakebruin on Aug 5, 2009 8:22 AM PDT reply actions

Well said

You and I have disagreed about the renovation plans, but I think your post is dead-on.

by Barnes2JJ on Aug 5, 2009 8:28 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm with Bergman on this one

It’s one thing, in the interest of promoting team harmony and presenting a united front, to step back and play along when a decision you don’t happen to agree with will have relatively trivial impact. But if you truly believe a prospective course of action has catastrophe written all over it, as does Mr. Bergman in this case, it is not only your right, but also your duty to continue to raise the siren call as long as it’s not too late to change that course. I believe the currently proposed Pauley Pavilion renovation plan would be wrong at any time. But especially in today’s economically depressed environment, it sends a message that is antithetical to so many of the ideals UCLA has stood for in the past. UCLA students, alumni, and the people of California will not be well served by this plan.

by snorkeldorf on Aug 5, 2009 11:47 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Old Daily Bruin Quote

Barnes2JJ- Totally of subject but you mentioned a Daily Bruin Head by-line some time ago regarding a UCLA-OSU baskeball game that UCLA almost lost and OSU would have been ahead in the PAC 10; this game would not have determined the winner of the PAC-10, just the leader. It was in 1978 or 1979 I don’t remember which; it was so long ago, just a couple years after Coach Wooden had retired. Sport Headlines were on the back of the Daily Bruin then. The headline actually read; “Beavers Muff Chance to Snatch PAC-10 Lead”. We went nuts. I still have that DB someplace. As a true Bruin fan, you need to know the rest of the story.

by OldBruin on Aug 6, 2009 11:31 AM PDT reply actions

Thank you very much

Among some of my older Bruin friends, that headline is legendary. If you still have that DB, it is surely a classic. It wouldn’t be worth too much on the open market but as a somewhat salty slice of UCLA history, that particular edition is golden.

Thanks again for providing the background of that story. I love it.

by Barnes2JJ on Aug 6, 2009 12:13 PM PDT up reply actions