2002-2003 General Information:
Special Programs, Activities, and Awards

Center for Excellence in Engineering and Diversity

The HSSEAS Center for Excellence in Engineering and Diversity (CEED) seeks to create a community of collaborative and sustainable partnerships that increase academic opportunities for urban, disadvantaged, and underrepresented students. CEED supports students in precollege, undergraduate, and graduate science, engineering, mathematics, and technology curricula.

Precollege Outreach Programs

Science and Mathematics Achievement and Research Training for Students (SMARTS). A six-week commuter and residential summer program, SMARTS provides a diverse group of 50 to100 ninth to twelfth graders with rigorous inquiry-based engineering, mathematics, and science enrichment. Tenth and eleventh graders receive an introduction to the scientific process and to laboratory-based investigation through the Research Apprentice Program, sponsored by faculty and graduate research mentors in engineering. Students continue their involvement during the school year by participating in the Saturday Academy Series in Fall and Spring Quarters.

MESA Schools Program (MSP) . Through CEED, HSSEAS partners with middle and high school principals to implement MSP services, which focus on outreach and student development in engineering, mathematics, science, and technology. At individual school sites, four mathematics and science teachers serve as MSP advisers and coordinate the activities and instruction for 1,200 students. Advisers work as a team to deliver services that include SAT preparation. MSP prepares students for regional engineering and science competitions and provides an individual academic planning program, academic excellence workshops, CEED undergraduate mentors, field trips, and exposure to high-tech careers. The MSP goal is to increase the numbers of urban and educationally underserved students who are competitively eligible for UC admission, particularly in engineering and computer science.

Students are provided academic planning, SAT preparation, career exploration, and other services starting at the elementary school level through college. HSSEAS/CEED currently serves 16 schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District and eight schools in the Inglewood Unified School District.

Hewlett-Packard Diversity in Education Initiative (HP-DEI). Funded by the Hewlett-Packard Foundation, HP-DEI is a collaboration between CEED and Los Angeles Unified School District-Los Angeles Systemic Initiative to implement mathematics/science reform in 12 urban schools. One component of HP-DEI is the Academic Boot Camp, which supports 170 students in grades four to eight from HP partner schools in a five-week summer mathematics and science enrichment camp. Seven Saturday Academies are offered during the school year as follow-up. A second component is the Teacher Training Program, an inquiry-centered curricula and collaborative learning pedagogy developed by the Los Angeles Systemic Initiative and the National Science Resource Center.

Undergraduate Programs

CEED currently supports some 250 underrepresented and disadvantaged engineering students. Components of the undergraduate program include

CEED Summer Bridge. A two-week intensive residential summer program, CEED Summer Bridge provides advanced preparation and exposure for Fall Quarter classes in mathematics, chemistry, and computer science.

Freshman Orientation Course. Designed to give CEED freshmen exposure to the engineering profession, “Engineering 97- Engineering Disciplines” also teaches the principles of effective study and team/community-building skills.

Academic Excellence Workshops (AEW). Providing an intensive mathematics/science approach to achieving mastery through collaborative learning and facilitated study groups, workshops meet twice a week for two hours and are facilitated by a Ph.D. student.

Academic Advising and Counseling. CEED counselors assist in the selection of course combinations, professors, and course loads and meet regularly with students to assess progress and discuss individual concerns.

Tutoring. Review sessions and tutoring are provided for several upper division engineering courses.

Career Development. Presentations by corporate representatives and field trips to major company locations are offered. Other services include summer and full-time job placement and assistance.

Cluster Systems. Common class sections that team students, Cluster Systems facilitate group study and successful academic excellence workshops.

Student Study Center: A three-room complex with a study area open 24 hours a day, the Student Study Center also houses academic workshop rooms and a computer room and is used for tutoring, presentations, and engineering student organizations. The center has an electronic message board for campus, student organization, and CEED activities and numerous bulletin boards for scholarships and employment opportunities.

Graduate Programs

OMEGA. The last letter in the Greek alphabet, OMEGA symbolizes the highest level of educational achievement. The organization is a partnership with engineering faculty and CEED to increase the number of UCLA CEED and other engineering undergraduates who are interested in graduate study.

A key component of OMEGA is recruitment. OMEGA maintains communication with a network of 15 student organizations from which to identify and cultivate prospective graduate students.

The OMEGA Faculty/Student social pairs engineering juniors and seniors with UCLA engineering faculty by subfield specialties over dinner. The faculty can thus assist UCLA and non-UCLA students in planning for graduate school and help them gain an understanding of the research enterprise.

The OMEGA Research Program provides stipends for CEED undergraduates to conduct engineering research with engineering faculty mentors.

Scholarships/Financial Aid

The Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science also participates in the NACME and GEM scholarships. The CEED Industry Advisory Board and support network provide significant contributions to program services and scholarships. Information may be obtained from the CEED director.

Student Organizations

UCLA’s CEED supports student chapters of three engineering organizations: the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES), the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), and the Society of Latino Engineers and Scientists (SOLES), the UCLA chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE). These organizations are vital elements of the program.

American Indian Science and Engineering Society

Entering its twelfth year on campus, AISES encourages American Indians to pursue careers as scientists and engineers while preserving their cultural heritage. The goal of AISES is to promote unity and cooperation and to provide a basis for the advancement of American Indians while providing financial assistance and educational opportunities. AISES devotes most of its energy to its outreach program where members conduct monthly science academies with elementary and precollege students from Indian Reservations. Serving as mentors and role models for younger students enables UCLA AISES students to further develop professionalism and responsibility while maintaining a high level of academics and increasing cultural awareness.

National Society of Black Engineers

Chartered in 1980 to respond to the shortage of blacks in science and engineering fields and to promote academic excellence among black students in these disciplines, NSBE provides academic assistance, tutoring, and study groups while sponsoring ongoing activities such as guest speakers, company tours, and participation in UCLA events such as Career Day and Engineers Week. NSBE also assists students with employment through the publication of a résumé book, cosponsored by AISES and SOLES, and their industry sponsored annual Awards and Installation Banquet. Through the various activities sponsored by NSBE, students develop leadership and interpersonal skills while enjoying the college experience. See http://www.seas.ucla.edu/nsbe/.

Society of Latino Engineers and Scientists

Recognized as the national Chapter of the Year for three consecutive years by the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), SOLES promotes engineering as a viable career option for Latino students. SOLES is committed to the advancement of Latinos in engineering and science through endeavors to stimulate intellectual pursuit through group studying, tutoring, and peer counseling for all members. This spirit is carried into the community with active recruitment of high school students into the field of engineering.

SOLES also strives to familiarize the UCLA community with the richness and diversity of the Latino culture and the scientific accomplishments of Latinos. SOLES organizes cultural events such as Latinos in Science, Cinco de Mayo, and cosponsors the Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Day with AISES, NSBE, and SWE. By participating in campus events such as Career Day and Engineers Week, the organization’s growing membership strives to fulfill the needs of the individual and the community. See http://www.seas.ucla.edu/soles/.

Women in Engineering

Women make up about 21 percent of the undergraduate and 18 percent of HSSEAS graduate enrollment. Today’s opportunities for women in engineering are excellent, as both employers and educators try to change the image of engineering as a "males only" field. Women engineers are in great demand in all fields of engineering.

The Society of Women Engineers (SWE), recognizing that women in engineering are still a minority, has established a UCLA student chapter that sponsors field trips and engineering-related speakers (often professional women) to introduce the various options available to women engineers. The UCLA chapter of SWE, in conjunction with other Los Angeles schools, also publishes an annual résumé book to help women students find jobs and presents a career day for women high school students. See http://www.seas.ucla.edu/swe/.

Student and Honorary Societies

Professionally related societies and activities at UCLA provide valuable experience in leadership, service, recreation, and personal satisfaction. The faculty of the school encourages students to participate in such societies and activities where they can learn more about the engineering profession in a more informal setting than the classroom. For more information, see http://www.engineer.ucla.edu/students/organ.htm.

Student Representation

The student body takes an active part in shaping policies of the school through elected student representatives on the school’s Executive Committee.

Prizes and Awards

Each year, certificates and award monies are presented at the HSSEAS annual commencement ceremony to recognize outstanding students who have contributed to the school.

Russell R. O’Neill Distinguished Service Award is presented annually to an upper division student in good academic standing who has made outstanding contributions through service to the undergraduate student body, student organizations, and furtherance of the undergraduate engineering program, with emphasis on extracurricular activities.

Harry M. Showman Engineering Prize is awarded to a UCLA engineering student or students who most effectively communicate the achievements, research results, or social significance of any aspect of engineering to a student audience, the engineering professions, or the general public.

Outstanding B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. awards are given to those degree candidates who have achieved academic excellence. Criteria may include such items as grade-point average, creativity, research, and community service.

The Engineering Achievement Award for Student Welfare is given to undergraduate and graduate engineering students who have made outstanding contributions to student welfare through participation in extracurricular activities and who have given outstanding service to the campus community.

Departmental Scholar Program

The school may nominate exceptionally promising junior and senior undergraduate students as Departmental Scholars to pursue bachelor’s and master’s degree programs simultaneously.

Minimum qualifications include the completion of 24 courses (96 quarter units) at UCLA, or the equivalent at a similar institution, the current minimum grade-point average required for honors at graduation, and the requirements in preparation for the major. To obtain both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees, Departmental Scholars fulfill the requirements for each program. Students may not use any one course to fulfill requirements for both degrees.

Interested students should consult the associate dean in 6412 Boelter Hall well in advance of application dates for admission to graduate standing.

Engineering and Applied Science Cooperative Education Program

The Cooperative Education Program is a plan wherein undergraduate students combine periods of regular employment in private industry or government activities (federal, state, county, or city) with alternate periods of study. The work experience becomes a regular, continuing, and essential part of their professional education.

This elective plan involves no academic credit for work periods, but students in work periods are encouraged to take such courses as they may be able to arrange, particularly in the Continuing Education Program.

Further information and applications may be obtained at the Engineering and Science Career Planning Office, 5289 Boelter Hall.

Official Publications

This Announcement of the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science contains detailed information about the school, areas of study, degree programs, and course listings. The UCLA General Catalog (http://www.registrar.ucla.edu/catalog/), however, is the official and binding document for the guidance of students. UCLA students are responsible for complying with all University rules, regulations, policies, and procedures described in the catalog. Engineering students are advised to purchase it from the UCLA Store.

Rules and regulations on graduate study at UCLA are at http://www.gdnet.ucla.edu.

Grade Disputes

If students believe that they have been graded unfairly, they should first discuss the issue with the instructor of the course. If the dispute cannot be resolved between the student and the instructor, the student may refer the issue to the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, 6426 Boelter Hall.

The associate dean may form an ad hoc committee to review the complaint. The ad hoc committee members are recommended by the appropriate department chair and the associate dean. The student receives a copy of the ad hoc committee’s report as well as a copy of the associate dean’s recommendation. The student’s file will contain no reference to the dispute.

The associate dean informs the students of their rights with respect to complaints and appeals at UCLA.

Nondiscrimination

The University of California, in accordance with applicable Federal and State Laws and University Policies, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, medical condition (cancer-related), ancestry, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, or status as a Vietnam-era veteran or special disabled veteran. The University also prohibits sexual harassment. This nondiscrimination policy covers admission, access, and treatment in University programs and activities.

Inquiries regarding the University’s student-related nondiscrimination policies may be directed to the UCLA Campus Counsel, 3149 Murphy Hall, Box 951405, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1405, (310) 825-4042. Speech- and hearing-impaired persons may call TTY (310) 206-6083.

Inquiries regarding nondiscrimination on the basis of disability covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 may be directed to Douglas A. Martin, Special Assistant to the Chancellor/Coordinator of ADA and 504 Compliance, A239 Murphy Hall, UCLA, Box 951405, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1405, voice (310) 825-2242, TTY (310) 206-3349; http://www.saonet.ucla.edu/ada.htm.

Students may complain of any action which they believe discriminates against them on the ground of race, color, national origin, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, disability, or age and may contact the Office of the Dean of Students, 1206 Murphy Hall, and/or refer to Section 111.00 of the University of California Policies Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations, and Students (available in 1206 Murphy Hall or at http://www.ucop.edu/ucophome/uwnews/aospol/toc.html) for further information and procedures.

Harassment

Sexual Harassment

Every member of the campus community should be aware that the University is strongly opposed to sexual harassment and that such behavior is prohibited both by law and by University policy.

Definitions

Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when

1. Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of instruction, employment, or participation in other University activity;
    
   
2. Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as a basis for evaluation in making academic or personnel decisions affecting an individual; or
    
   
3. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive University environment.

In determining whether the alleged conduct constitutes sexual harassment, consideration shall be given to the record of the incident as a whole and to the totality of the circumstances, including the context in which the alleged incidents occurred ( University of California Policies Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations, and Students, Section 160.00).

Complaint Resolution

Experience has demonstrated that many complaints of sexual harassment can be effectively resolved through informal intervention. Individuals who experience what they consider to be sexual harassment are advised to confront the alleged offender immediately and firmly.

Additionally, an individual who believes that she or he has been sexually harassed may contact the alleged offender’s supervisor and/or a Sexual Harassment Information Center counselor for help and information regarding sexual harassment complaint resolution or grievance procedures at one of the locations listed below as determined by the complainant’s status at the University at the time of the alleged incident:

1. Academic Personnel, Assistant to the Vice Chancellor -- Academic Personnel, 3109 Murphy Hall, (310) 794-4217
    
   
2. Office of Ombuds Services, 105 Strathmore Building, (310) 825-7627
    
   
3. Center for Student Programming, Associate Director, 105 Kerckhoff Hall, (310) 825-7041
    
   
4. Center for Women and Men, Director, 2 Dodd Hall, (310) 825-3945
    
   
5. Office of the Dean of Students, Assistant Dean of Students, 1206 Murphy Hall, (310) 825-3871
    
   
6. Campus Human Resources/Employee and Labor Relations, Manager, 200 UCLA Wilshire Center, (310) 794-0860
    
   
7. Graduate Division, Office Manager, 1237 Murphy Hall, (310) 825-4383
    
   
8. Healthcare Human Resources, Employee Relations Manager, 924 Westwood Boulevard, Suite 200, (310) 794-0500
    
   
9. Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Administration/Human Resources Associate Director, B7-370 NPI&H, (310) 206-5258
    
   
10. Office of Residential Life, Judicial Coordinator, Residential Life Building, (310) 825-3401
     
    
11. School of Dentistry, Assistant Dean, Student and Alumni Affairs, A3-042 Dentistry, (310) 825-7146; Student and Alumni Affairs Counselor, 23-087 Dentistry, (310) 8250-5248
     
    
12. School of Medicine, Human Resources Director, 924 Westwood Boulevard, Suite 540, (310) 794-6802; Senior Associate Dean of Student Affairs/Graduate Medical Education, 12-139 Center for the Health Sciences, (310) 825-6774; Dean’s Office, Special Projects Director, 12-138 Center for the Health Sciences, (310) 794-1958
     
    
13. Staff Affirmative Action Office, Staff Affirmative Action Officer, 1103 Ueberroth Building, (310) 825-0751
     
    
14. Student Psychological Services, Director, 4223 Math Sciences, (310) 825-0768
     
    
15. UCLA Extension, Human Resources Director, 629 UNEX Building, (310) 825-4287; Student Services Director, 214 UNEX Building, (310) 825-2656
     
    
16. Santa Monica UCLA Medical Center, Healthcare Human Resources Manager, 1250 16th Street, Santa Monica 90404, (310) 319-4351

Other Forms of Harassment

The University strives to create an environment which fosters the values of mutual respect and tolerance and is free from discrimination based on race, ethnicity, sex, religion, sexual orientation, disability, age, and other personal characteristics. Certainly harassment, in its many forms, works against those values and often corrodes a person’s sense of worth and interferes with one’s ability to participate in University programs or activities. While the University is committed to the free exchange of ideas and the full protection of free expression, the University also recognizes that words can be used in such a way that they no longer express an idea, but rather injure and intimidate, thus undermining the ability of individuals to participate in the University community. The University of California Policies Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations, and Students (hereafter referred to as Policies) presently prohibit a variety of conduct by students which, in certain contexts, may be regarded as harassment or intimidation.

For example, harassing expression which is accompanied by physical abuse, threats of violence, or conduct that threatens the health or safety of any person on University property or in connection with official University functions may subject an offending student to University discipline under the provisions of Section 102.08 of the Policies.

Similarly, harassing conduct, including symbolic expression, which also involves conduct resulting in damage to or destruction of any property of the University or property of others while on University premises may subject a student violator to University discipline under the provisions of Section 102.04 of the Policies.

Further, under specific circumstances described in the Universitywide Student Conduct Harassment Policy (http://www.deanofstudents.ucla.edu/), students may be subject to University discipline for misconduct which may consist solely of expression. Copies of this Policy are available in the Office of the Dean of Students, 1206 Murphy Hall, or in any of the Harassment Information Centers listed below:

1. Center for Women and Men, 2 Dodd Hall, (310) 825-3945, http://www.thecenter.ucla.edu/
    
   
2. Office of Fraternity and Sorority Relations, 105 Kerckhoff Hall, (310) 825-6322, http://www.greeklife.ucla.edu/
    
   
3. Office of International Students and Scholars, 106 Bradley Hall, (310) 825-1681, http://www.intl.ucla.edu/home.htm
    
   
4. Office of Ombuds Services, 105 Strathmore Building, (310) 825-7627, http://www.saonet.ucla.edu/ombuds/
    
   
5. Office of Residential Life, Residential Life Building, (310) 825-3401, http://www.orl.ucla.edu/
    
   
6. Student Psychological Services, 4223 Math Sciences, (310) 825-0768, or A3-062 Center for the Health Sciences, (310) 825-7985, http://www.saonet.ucla.edu/sps.htm

Complaint Resolution

One of the necessary measures in our efforts to assure an atmosphere of civility and mutual respect is the establishment of procedures which provide effective informal and formal mechanisms for those who believe that they have been victims of any of the above misconduct.

Many incidents of harassment and intimidation can be effectively resolved through informal means. For example, an individual may wish to confront the alleged offender immediately and firmly. An individual who chooses not to confront the alleged offender and who wishes help, advice, or information is urged to contact any of the Harassment Information Centers listed immediately above.

In addition to providing support for those who believe they have been victims of harassment, Harassment Information Centers offer persons the opportunity to learn about the phenomena of harassment and intimidation; to understand the formal and informal mechanisms by which misunderstandings may be corrected and, when appropriate, student perpetrators may be disciplined; and to consider which of the available options is the most useful for the particular circumstances.

With regard to the Universitywide Student Conduct Harassment Policy, complainants should be aware that not all conduct which is offensive may be regarded as a violation of this Policy and may, in fact, be protected expression. Thus, the application of formal institutional discipline to such protected expression may not be legally permissible. Nevertheless, the University is committed to reviewing any complaint of harassing or intimidating conduct by a student and intervening on behalf of the complainant to the extent possible.