I am delighted to announce the establishment of the Public Affairs Society, an undergraduate organization dedicated to public service and to the study of domestic and international affairs. UCLA students have a long tradition of participating in policy, activism, leadership, and public engagement. The Public Affairs Society is committed to cultivating the relationship between UCLA undergraduates and opinion leaders from the public, nonprofit, and private sectors as well as leaders from academia and politics.

The Public Affairs Society will serve as a forum for dialogue and debate among students, with particular attention to the most vexing local, regional, national, and international issues. To achieve this goal, we will host discussions with notable speakers addressing the vital topics of the day.

For those interested in pursuing graduate degrees, the Public Affairs Society will sponsor meetings with faculty, administrators, and graduate students. Members of the Public Affairs Society will have the opportunity to discuss every thing from preparing for graduate school to the wide range of career opportunities in public policy, urban planning, and social welfare. I hope that these meetings will foster a feeling of community among the students, faculty, and administrators who participate.

Once again, I am excited by the possibilities afforded by this new undergraduate society. I commend the students who took the initiative to form this organization and who have shared their vision with the School of Public Affairs . I very much look forward to working with all of you in the future.

Karen Kovacs North, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean
Director of Undergraduate Programs
UCLA School of Public Affairs