The Fiat Lux Freshman Seminar Program was born out of the
tragedy of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks when UCLA
administrators and faculty recognized the urgent need to offer the
UCLA community a way to come together to grapple with the complex
issues and challenges ““ emotional, intellectual, social and
political ““ thrust upon the country and the world by those
events.
While it is always challenging for new freshmen to leave their
homes and high schools to enter the world of the university, it was
surely harder to do so for those who entered in 2001, two weeks
after Sept. 11.
On Sept. 13, 2001, former Provost Brian Copenhaver and I met
with Chancellor Carnesale to seek his support in creating a series
of one-unit seminars devoted to the events surrounding Sept. 11.
The chancellor agreed with us that by encouraging faculty and
students to come together in small seminars to learn about the
post-Sept. 11 world, UCLA could assuage fear and confusion through
critical thinking and dialogue.
Without any hesitation, the chancellor volunteered to teach a
seminar in the newly conceptualized Sept. 11 seminar series,
signaling to faculty colleagues the importance of this venture.
With his help and encouragement, we were able to offer over 50
seminars.
Preserving the spirit of these original “Sept. 11″
seminars, the Fiat Lux Freshman Seminar program was initiated in
the 2002-2003 school year. The title ““ “Fiat Lux”
““ was taken from the university’s motto ““
“Let there be light” ““ because faculty, working
with students, strive to illuminate research topics or issues of
timely importance.
Since the program began, 782 seminars have been offered, with a
total enrollment of nearly 15,000 students.
Carnesale has provided permanent funding for this innovative
program and has taught his own seminar, “Rethinking National
Security,” six times in the past five years, enrolling over
120 freshman students.
Offered through UCLA’s School of Public Policy and Social
Research, the seminar description notes that “as the post-war
reconstruction of Iraq continues and the war against terrorism
wages on, national security remains at the top of the American
political agenda. In a post-Cold War, post-9/11 environment, two
questions regarding national security arise: What are the near-term
threats to the security of the U.S. and other nations, and how
might those threats best be met?”
The chancellor is highly qualified to teach a seminar on
national security. He has represented the United States government
in high-level negotiations on defense, including the Strategic Arms
Limitation Talks, SALT I, with the Soviet Union. He is also a
member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Students in his seminar give the chancellor high marks. One
student noted that the seminar is very interesting and especially
relevant to world affairs today. Another indicated that being in a
seminar with the chancellor is very rewarding. Students also note
that it is an honor to have the chancellor as a seminar instructor
and report that class meetings are amazing and inspirational.
At the Fiat Lux lunch a few weeks ago, Carnesale received
special recognition for his role in creating and supporting this
very successful freshman seminar program. Following a sabbatical
next year studying at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at
Harvard, the chancellor will return to UCLA to resume teaching and
research on issues of national security policy.
We hope and fully expect he will continue offering his Fiat Lux
seminar so future Bruin freshmen will have an opportunity to
rethink critical issues of national security.
Smith is the vice provost for undergraduate
education.