Former Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanova discusses the local response to the “devastating” California wildfires on “The Big Money Show.”
Students at the University of California, Los Angeles campus took to TikTok to openly criticize and scrutinize the school's leadership for their delayed response to potential safety threats from the devastating fires.
It was Wednesday night that Chancellor Julio Frank announced that UCLA Reduces campus operationscancel undergraduate classes and remotely move graduate classes on Thursday and Friday due to multiple fires in the area.
By early Thursday, at least five people had died and more than 28,000 acres had burned, while residents and UCLA students watched the flames spread.
TikToker @negativesmart posted a picture of a bright red, smoke-filled sky from his alleged dorm room, writing: “UCLA? More like a university, cares less about (its students' lungs).”
“LA may be on fire, but don't worry, UCLA says everything is normal.” Another TikTok video by @ayiana.scott It said it has been viewed more than 1 million times.
UCLA students on TikTok were not happy with campus leaders' delayed decision to curtail operations and cancel classes Thursday and Friday. (Getty Images)
Additional videos posted to the social platform by users @jiwonapieceofme and @chelsealstone have received hundreds of thousands of views and show the near reality of the fire on campus, with captions such as: “Hey UCLA, (what do you mean) I'm still in class I have??!!??” and “Hey UCLA just wondering if I should still plan to go to the lecture tomorrow morning?”
“While there is no immediate fire danger to our campus, with wind patterns expected to change in the coming hours, there is a possibility that air quality in Westwood will deteriorate,” the university president said in his letter announcing the temporary closure.
A student with the handle @kennedyhayashi packs up and faces long lines of traffic POV: Evacuate (because) UCLA takes back their words just hours after claiming we're “safe.” with others evacuating Campus too
With the sun barely peeking out of a black, smoky, daytime sky, TikToker @eireneding drew a comparison titled “UCLA claiming everything is fine (vs.) all students are fine” and the air quality weather report “ Unhealthy” also presented.
Fox Business' Lisa Kennedy discusses the latest updates on the devastating California wildfires in Los Angeles County on “The Bottom Line.”
“We will continue to monitor the situation in the area and stand ready to further adjust campus operations if needed,” the UCLA chancellor continued in his letter Wednesday night. “Any changes in classes will be determined after the next two days in cooperation with the Senate, and we will immediately share them with our community through BruinALERT.”
UCLA employees were told to coordinate with supervisors if they are able to work remotely, but health centers will be open and fully operational Thursday and Friday.
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CRMBC CEO and insurance industry expert Kaya Stanley explains how there is no government surplus to cover the “catastrophic” economic losses associated with the Los Angeles fires.
However, students' TikTok videos — and comments in reaction to the video — before Frenk's official announcement to limit university operations show the final dissent in the late decision.
“The fact that UCLA did not cancel all classes is highly irresponsible.” “I wish UCLA employees were given the same option. We still (have to) go to work.” All my life I have been told that UCLA is an amazing school, but they constantly disrespect their students.