Readers React: UCLA’s new Geffen-funding private school smacks of elitism

To the editor: Elitism is an abused word, but I cannot think of a better one to describe the purpose of David Geffen giving UCLA $100 million to build a special school to keep the children of professors at a publicly funded state institution from having to mingle with the children of the taxpayers doing that funding. (“David Geffen gives $100 million to build a school for the children of UCLA staff and others,” Nov. 11)

Geffen says he wants to attract “talented educators” by relieving them of the onus of having their children participate in California public school classes. I guess these talented teachers don’t have an objection to taking public money to teach at a public university where they mingle with our kids.

Part of this issue is, of course, the continuing willingness of the UCLA leadership to give up their independence in pursuit of big money, no matter what the source or purpose. This needs to be reversed if the mission of the state’s schools to offer equal and quality opportunity to all our children is to be preserved.

Glen Mowrer, Santa Barbara

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To the editor: It is disturbing that Geffen plans to donate $100 million to a public university in order to establish a private school for the children of UCLA faculty.

Has the University of California forgotten that those who teach there are public employees? There is no reason their children should not attend public school in Los Angeles.

Instead of spending megamillions to fund a cynical recruitment tool, Geffen should consider donating that money to Los Angeles magnet schools, where it would be a real benefit to many more students.

Joan Walston, Santa Monica

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