University High School (Los Angeles, California)

:"Alternate meaning: University High School (disambiguation)"Infobox School
name = University High School

---

imagesize = 250px
caption = University High School
motto =
established = 1924
type = Public
district = Los Angeles Unified School District
grades = 9 - 12
president =
principal =
head of school =
dean =
faculty =
staff =
enrollment = ~2,400 [ [http://search.lausd.k12.ca.us/cgi-bin/fccgi.exe?w3exec=school.profile.content&which=8886 Demographics for University High School] ]
athletics =
conference = [http://www.cif-la.org/ Western League, Los Angeles City Section] , CIF
colors = smallcaps|Blue & smallcaps|Persimmon
mascot = Wildcats
campus type = Urban
campus size =
free_label =
free_text =
free_label2 =
free_text2 =
free_label3 =
free_text3 =
location = 11800 Texas Avenue
Los Angeles, CA, 90025
country = United States
information = 310-914-3500
website = [http://www.universitywildcats.org www.universitywildcats.org]

University Senior High School, commonly known as "Uni", is a secondary school located in West Los Angeles, a district in Los Angeles, California, United States near the border of Santa Monica. University High is a part of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). The campus also holds Indian Springs Continuation High School. The school contains the Serra Springs, a sacred site of the Gabrieleno Tongva people and a California State Historical Landmark. The springs are found at two separate locations on campus. The larger is now closed off from the rest of the campus and is under the care of the Gabrielino/Tongva Springs Foundation. The other spring is located on the northeastern edge of the so-called Girls' Field. A third spring was located farther north, near Texas Avenue, but ceased to flow during the 1940s when a local water company began drawing from the aquifer. [The Chieftain (Yearbook), 1974 ed.]

The weekly school newspaper, the "Wildcat", is part of the High School National Ad Network. Print issues from the school's inception as Harding High are available in the journalism archives. More recent issues are archived online at the "My High School Journalism" [ [http://my.highschooljournalism.org/ca/losangeles/uni/archives.cfm?eid=8831 Online archives of the "Wildcat"] ] site operated by ASNE (American Society of Newspaper Editors).

History

While under construction it was known as "Sawtelle High School", but opened as "Warren G. Harding High School" when built in 1924, the school was renamed in 1929 after UCLA moved its campus from East Hollywood to Westwood, and the reputation of former President Harding had declined. The name "University" is supposed to have originated because it became a site where teachers-in-training from nearby UCLA worked as assistant teachers.

One third of its class of 1942 did not graduate because of the internment of Japanese-Americans.

Uni was opened in 1924, and is one of very few pre-World War II high schools in Los Angeles which have been partially spared by three major earthquakes since its inception. The original Administration building was designed by the firm Russell & Alpaugh and the construction process began in 1923. The style which was chosen recalls the Romanesque of Northern Italy. The Administration building once displayed an octagonal tower and a portico, but these features were toppled in the 1933 Long Beach Earthquake. An original cafeteria building was located where the current cafeteria and theater stand today. Although the gymnasium and a beautiful and widely admired auditorium were condemned following the 1971 Sylmar earthquake, the school's original main building from 1924 remains in use to this day. The music building and gym (rebuilt in the early 1980s) are scheduled to be taken down because they sit on a fault line, against district policy. [cite news
last = Blakeslee
first = Sandra
title = Seismologists Debate Los Angeles's Faults
publisher = New York Times
date = August 24, 1993
url =http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F0CE5DB123CF937A1575BC0A965958260
accessdate = 2008-03-22] [cite news
last = Bernstein
first = Sharon
title = As New Schools Are Put Up, Quake Retrofits Are Put Off
subtitle = Repairs lag at L.A. Unified and other districts. The statewide cost could hit $5 billion.
publisher = Los Angeles Times
date = April 12, 2006
url = http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/1019765441.html?dids=1019765441:1019765441&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Apr+12%2C+2006&author=Sharon+Bernstein&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&edition=&startpage=A.1&desc=As+New+Schools+Are+Put+Up%2C+Quake+Retrofits+Are+Put+Off
accessdate = 2007-04-23] Although the music building is not in use (classes have been moved to another unused room near the top of the school), the gym currently is. Because the main building presents a very traditional and dignified appearance, with weathered brick and arched doorways, the campus is popular with film crews. See #Filming on campus

In fall 2007, some neighborhoods zoned to Hamilton were rezoned to University High School. [ [http://www.laschools.org/employee/mpd/fs-mpd/download/07-08_webmaps/Proj04.pdf LA Schools map] ]

Native American heritage

Located on Uni's campus are the Serra Springs, California Historical Landmark #522. The springs, called Kuruvungna by the native Gabrieleno Tongva people, were used as natural fresh water source by the Tongva people since 400 B.C.E., and continue to produce 22,000 - 25,000 gallons of water a day. [http://clkrep.lacity.org/councilfiles/05-1009_mot_5-17-05.pdf Motion (Department of Transportation) for installion of ceremonial street signs] ] The Portolá Expedition of 1769, one of the two expeditions that led to the founding of Los Angeles, camped at the Kuruvunga village, while travelling along the route that would become known as El Camino Real.cite news
title = West Los Angeles Community Plan
pages = III-29 - III-30
publisher = www.lacity.org/PLN
date = May 2001
url = http://cityplanning.lacity.org/complan/pdf/wlacptxt.pdf.
accessdate = 2007-04-30] The name Serra comes from Father Junípero Serra the founder of the Alta California mission chain, who is reported to have said Mass to there. [cite news
last = Koenig
first = Alexa
coauthor = Stein, Jonathan
title = Lost in the Shuffle: State-Recognized Tribes and the Tribal Gaming Industry
pages = 8
publisher = The Berkeley Electronic Press
year = 2005
url = http://law.bepress.com/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3576&context=expresso
accessdate = 2007-04-26] In the 1800s, the spring served as the water supply for the city of Santa Monica.

Construction at the school in 1925 unearthed evidence of an Indian village, and in 1975, a grave was discovered from what archaeologists now believe to be a burial site.

In 1980 Indian Springs Continuation High School, which is housed on the part of the campus where the springs are, was opened. [California Department of Education's [http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/sd/details.asp?cds=19647331930999&Public=Y California School Directory] ]

In 1992, tribal descendants, community members and teachers and students from the school founded the Gabrielino/Tongva Springs Foundation, a non-profit foundation, to fight a proposed development a block north of the springs that would have cut off the springs' underground water source. They successfully fought the proposed parking structure, and since that time, the Foundation has been active at the springs.cite news
last = Fisher
first = Cory
title= Before Columbus
subtitle= American Indians celebrate today the cultural heritage found near West Los Angeles springs
publisher = Westside Weekly
date = October 11, 1998
accessdate = 2007
url = http://www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/Lobby/4621/beforecolumbus.html
accessdate = 2007-04-30] cite news
last = Carpenter
first = Susan
title = LA School Uses Sacred Tongva Site To Celebrate Columbus Day
publisher = Los Angeles Times
date = October 13, 2005
url = http://hnn.us/roundup/entries/17036.html
accessdate = 2007-04-30]

That same year, the newly established Foundation held the first annual Life Before Columbus Day event. [http://www.onionskin.com/gabrielino/before-columbus.htm Annual "Life Before Coumbus Day Event"] ] The event, which takes place just before Columbus day every year and celebrates the history of the land and of the Tongva people, has been known to drawn upwards of 600 people some years, including Native Americans from various tribes, local politicians, community members and students and faculty from the school.cite news
last = Shapiro
first = Regina
title = Heritage Celebrated
publisher = Wildcat
date = October 21, 2005
url = http://myhighschooljournalism.org/ca/losangeles/uni/article.cfm?eid=4176&aid=59302
accessdate = 2007-04-30] cite news
last = Roberts
first = Seth
title = Before Columbus Day Festival Celebrates Indigenous Roots
publisher = Wildcat
date = October 13, 2006
url = http://my.highschooljournalism.org/ca/losangeles/uni/article.cfm?eid=6408&aid=95998
accessdate = 2007-05-26] The event includes tours of the Kuruvunga Village site and springs, performances by dancers from the Tongva and Aztec tribe and storytelling from the Chumash tribe. There are also hands-on activities offered by authentic Native American vendors.

The foundation currently leases the site from the Los Angeles Unified School District in order to use the location for their monthly ceremony and guided tours.

Mascot controversy

The school's mascot was formerly the "Warrior", [cite news
last = Zarinshenas
first = Reza
title = Native American Mascots Rascist
publisher = Wildcat
date = 2005-04-15
url = http://my.highschooljournalism.org/ca/losangeles/uni/article.cfm?eid=3475&aid=47922
accessdate = 2006-12-29] but was changed after the Southern California Indian Center [ [http://www.indiancenter.org/pages/index.php?ID=17&key=1053383620 Southern California Indian Center] ] petitioned the LAUSD to eliminate the mascots and names of all schools that had American Indian mascot and names. In 1997 the LAUSD decided to eliminate all American Indian mascots. [cite news
title = MOTIONS/RESOLUTIONS PRESENTED TO THE LOS ANGELES CITY BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR CONSIDERATION
work = Elimination of American Indian Mascots
pages = 55-56
publisher = LAUSD
date=September 8, 1997
url = http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/lausd/board/secretary/entire-year1997.pdf
accessdate = 2006-12-29|format=PDF] The LAUSD decision was upheld in federal court, [cite news
last = Willman
first = Martha L.
coauthors = Becker, Tom
title = District Ban on Indian Nicknames Is Upheld
publisher = Los Angeles Times
date=April 7, 1998
url = http://www.iwchildren.org/lacourtban.htm
accessdate = 2006-12-29] but the California Racial Mascots Act, [ [http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/03-04/bill/asm/ab_0851-0900/ab_858_cfa_20030422_114903_asm_comm.html California Racial Mascots Act - AB 858] ] [ [http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_0001-0050/ab_13_bill_20050915_enrolled.pdf California Racial Mascots Act - AB 13] ] a bill which would eliminate American Indian mascots and names state wide, was vetoed by Governor Schwarzenegger twice. [ [http://www.indianz.com/News/2005/010543.asp Schwarzenegger vetoes bill banning 'Redskins'] ]

Towards the end of the 1997-1998 school year, students were allowed to vote on a new school mascot. Students chose the Wildcat over the Gators and Jaguars.

Ficus tree preservation

Underground water from the Kuruvungna springs sustain seven mature Indian Laurel Ficus trees on the campus which line a walkway between the classroom building and one of the two teachers' parking lot. In September 2002, LAUSD Area D announced that it would remove the seven ficus trees lining the outside of the classroom building, because the roots were had grown into and were pushing up the concrete in the parking lot causing a potential hazard.cite news
last = Lue
first = Ryan
title = Committee Seeks Arborist to Prune Trees
publisher = Wildcat
date = 2003-09-19
url = http://myhighschooljournalism.org/ca/losangeles/uni/article.cfm?eid=818&aid=9225
accessdate = 2007-04-22] In response to the removal announcement a campaign was launched to stop the removal of the trees. Notably, a student petition got 1,200 signatures (about half of the student population), and community involevment came from the city of Santa Monica and from the neighborhood councils of Brentwood and West Los Angeles.cite news
last = Man
first = Shirley
title = Classroom Building Trees Saved
publisher = Wildcat
date = 2003-04-28
url = http://myhighschooljournalism.com/ca/losangeles/uni/article.cfm?eid=587&aid=6620
accessdate = 2007-04-22] [cite news
last = Berezin
first = Jacob
title = Theresa Gray
publisher = Wildcat
date = 2003-06-17
url = http://myhighschooljournalism.com/ca/losangeles/uni/article.cfm?eid=697&aid=8139
accessdate = 2007-04-22] [cite news
title = Public Television Programs Highlight City's "Rubber Sidewalks"
work = Santa Monica SEASCAPE V.4 Issue 11.
publisher = City of Santa Monica
date = Summer 2004
url = http://www.smgov.net/seascape/04summer/1.html
accessdate = 2007-04-22] [cite news
last = Tamaki
first = Julie
title = Many Tree Debates Are Rooted in Age
publisher = Los Angeles Times
date = April 29, 2003
url = http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/330574341.html?dids=330574341:330574341&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Apr+29%2C+2003&author=Julie+Tamaki&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&edition=&startpage=B.1&desc=Many+Tree+Debates+Are+Rooted+in+Age
accessdate = 2007-04-23]

In response to the public outcry, the LAUSD held meetings to determine what would happen to the trees. Walter Warriner, the Arborist of the city of Santa Monica proposed installing rubber sidewalks, which could be easily lifted in order to prune the tree roots for maintenance. After months of negations, the LAUSD decided not to remove the trees and agreed to install rubber sidewalks, making University High School the first high school in the United States to use rubber sidewalks in order to preserve its trees. Installation for the rubber sidewalks started on November 20, 2003, over a year after the LAUSD had originally condemned the trees. [cite news
coathors = Aragon, Karen, Han, Jina
first = Jacob
title = KCET Host Films Sidewalk Installation
publisher = Wildcat
date = 12/05/2003
url = http://myhighschooljournalism.org/ca/losangeles/uni/article.cfm?eid=1149&aid=13709
accessdate = 2007-04-22] Installation of the rubber sidewalks was covered by Huell Howser for California's Gold. [ [http://www.calgold.com/visiting/Default.asp?Series=1100&Show=656 Visiting...With Huell Howser #1114 - High School Sidewalks] ] The episode covering Uni High's rubber sidewalks aired on KCET on January 28, 2004.cite news
last = Aragon
first = Karen
title = Crews Repave Parking Lot
publisher = Wildcat
date = 2004-01-16
url = http://my.highschooljournalism.org/ca/losangeles/uni/article.cfm?eid=1311&aid=16044
accessdate = 2007-04-22] Rubber asphalt was also used to repave the pushed up concrete in the teachers' parking lot.

Filming on campus

The school, which has been able to maintain much of its original architecture, is one of the only Los Angeles schools with pre-WWII buildings remaining. Because its older architecture - its brick facades, wide hallways and "unique east coast look" - the school is an attractive place to film.cite news
last = Urevich
first = Robin
title = Los Angeles schools help ease budget crunch by renting campus space to film crews
publisher = Marketplace Morning Report from National Public Radio
date = February 4, 2004 Wednesday Transcript accessed with LexisNexis 2007-05-26. [http://marketplace.publicradio.org/shows/2004/02/04_mpp.html Listen] to the story at [http://marketplace.publicradio.org/ marketplace.publicradio.org] ] cite news
last = Shapiro
first = Regina
title = FBI Agents and Cheerleaders Shoot Pilot
publisher = Wildcat
date = 2004-03-19
url = http://my.highschooljournalism.org/ca/losangeles/uni/article.cfm?eid=1632&aid=20356
accessdate = 2007-04-22] cite news
last = Simanian
first = Jessica
title = Lifetime Networks Films The Division on Campus
publisher = Wildcat
date = 2007-05-28
url = http://my.highschooljournalism.org/ca/losangeles/uni/article.cfm?eid=1963&aid=25007
accessdate = 2007-04-22] cite news
last = Barco
first = Mandalit Del
authorlink = Mandalit del Barco
title = Los Angeles schools benefit from Hollywood filmmakers using campuses for film shoots
publisher = National Public Radio
date = March 11, 2004 Transcript accessed with LexisNexis 2007-05-26. [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1760158 Listen] to the story at [http://www.npr.org/ www.npr.org] ] The administration, which allows filming during school hours, moves classes as needed and allows productions to make minor changes to the campus, has a long history of bringing in filming (and the money that goes with it) to the school.cite news
last = Hayasaki
first = Erika
title = Schools Ready for Close-ups; Administrators are welcoming movie and TV shoots to campus, seeing the financial benefits in an era of budget cuts.
publisher = Los Angeles Times
date = December 16, 2003
url = http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/499669061.html?dids=499669061:499669061&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+16%2C+2003&author=Erika+Hayasaki&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&edition=&startpage=A.1&desc=THE+NATION
accessdate = 2007-05-23 The [http://www.boston.com/news/education/higher/articles/2004/01/06/calif_schools_ready_for_close_ups_cash/ full text] is available at [http://www.boston.com/news/globe/ The Boston Globe] .] cite news
last = Haber
first = Ben
title = Film Crew Sets Up Shop for Upcoming Movie
publisher = Wildcat
date = 2006-11-21
url = http://my.highschooljournalism.org/ca/losangeles/uni/article.cfm?eid=6930&aid=103935
accessdate = 2007-04-22]

The usage of the school for filming is a controversial one.cite news
last = Austin
first = April
title = Your School as a Film Star?
publisher = Christian Science Monitor
date = January 15, 2004
url = http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0115/p11s01-legn.html
accessdate = 2007-04-23] Filming often takes place during school hours, and students and teachers are moved from classrooms and walkways are blocked off as needed.cite news
last = Shapiro
first = Regina
title = 7th Heaven Films Episode on Teen Pregnancy
publisher = Wildcat
date = 2005-09-23
url = http://my.highschooljournalism.org/ca/losangeles/uni/article.cfm?eid=3972&aid=55584
accessdate = 2007-04-22] The school often undergoes renovations for filming, anything from retiling and painting, to temporary removal of furniture and lockers.cite news
last = Tefolla
first = Joanna
title = LAUSD Re-floors Administration Bldg.
publisher = Wildcat
date = 2006-10-20
url = http://my.highschooljournalism.org/ca/losangeles/uni/article.cfm?eid=6489&aid=96670
accessdate = 2007-04-22] These disruptions are a cause for students and teacher complaints.

Past articles in the Wildcat addressed not only the distruption to students,cite news
last = Berezin
first = Jacob
title = Filming Abates Budget Cuts
publisher = Wildcat
date = 2003-09-26
url = http://my.highschooljournalism.org/ca/losangeles/uni/article.cfm?eid=840&aid=9500
accessdate = 2007-04-22] but how the money made from the constant filming is spent. Editorials have complained about the portion of the money that goes to the LAUSD, and the way the money is spent by the school.cite news
last = Pan
first = Chenlu
title = Film Crews Arrive, Funds Misused
publisher = Wildcat
date = 2003-11-21
url = http://my.highschooljournalism.org/ca/losangeles/uni/article.cfm?eid=1083&aid=13100
accessdate = 2007-04-22] cite news
last = Galedary
first = Ali
title = Film Donations Valued; Re: Film Crews Arrive
publisher = Wildcat
date = 12/05/2003
url = http://my.highschooljournalism.org/ca/losangeles/uni/article.cfm?eid=1149&aid=13714
accessdate = 2007-04-22]

University High charges the standard district fee for each day of filming (currently $2,500).cite news
last = Kandel
first = Jason
title = Burbank gives new meaning to 'Film School'
publisher = Daily News
year = 2006
url = http://www.filmlainc.com/DailyNews_071006_BurbankSchoolDistr.pdf
accessdate = 2007-05-24|format=PDF A [http://www.thefreelibrary.com/BURBANK+GIVES+NEW+MEANING+TO+%60FILM+SCHOOL'-a0148096579 text version] of the article is available at the [http://www.thefreelibrary.com/ The Free Library] by [http://www.farlex.com/ Farlex Inc.] ] A portion of the money earned goes to FilmL.A., Inc., formerly named the Entertainment Industry Development Corporation, [cite news
last = McNary
first = Dave
title = EIDC Redubbed L.A. Film
publisher = Variety
date = December 9, 2005
url = http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117934301.html?categoryid=18&cs=1
accessdate = 2007-05-25] which acts as an intermediary between the LAUSD and the entertainment industry.cite news
last = Smith
first = Natasha N.
title = Take Note; Starring Roles
publisher = Education Week on the Web (www.teachermag.com)
date = February 4, 2004
url = http://www.teachermag.com/ew/ewstory.cfm?slug=21Take.h23
accessdate = 2007-05-23] The name change, which followed the naming of a new president and finance chief [cite news
last = McNary
first = Dave
title = EIDC names new finance chief
publisher = Variety
date = August 11, 2005
url = http://www.eidc.com/Variety_081105.pdf
accessdate = 2007-05-24|format=PDF] [cite news
title = EIDC Appoints Michael J. Bennett as Chief Financial Officer; Finance and Operations Veteran Brings Broad Skills and Experience to Nonprofit
publisher = EIDC
date = August 11, 2005
url = http://www.eidc.com/Bennet_release.pdf
accessdate = 2007-05-25|format=PDF A [http://www.californiafilmindustry.com/News/EIDC.html text version] of the article is available at the [http://www.californiafilmindustry.com/ California Film Industy Magazine] ] and came as the company was preparing to relocate its headquarters and implement a revised contract with the Los Angeles City Council, helped distance the private non-profit from its "bureaucratic and scandal-ridden image." [cite news
last = Wolfe
first = Rosalind H.
title = LA Film Permit Office Changes Name; From EIDC to 'Film L.A.'
publisher = Hollywood North Report
date = December 12 2005
url = http://www.hollywoodnorthreport.com/news/Archive.php?Action=ShowNews&NewsID=2265
accessdate = 2007-05-24] [cite news
last = Verrier
first = Richard
title = Film Permit Group Gets a Remake; Amid a slew of changes, the coordinator for Los Angeles is shedding its long name in favor of Film L.A. Inc.
publisher = Los Angeles Times
date = December 9 2005
url = http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/939069201.html?dids=939069201:939069201&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+9%2C+2005&author=Richard+Verrier&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&edition=&startpage=C.2&desc=Film+Permit+Group+Gets+a+Remake
accessdate = 2007-05-24 A [http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/08-11-2005/0004086989&EDATE= text version] of the article is available at [http://www.prnewswire.com/ PR Newswire] ] cite news
last = Hiestand
first = Jesse
title = L.A.'s EIDC Rebuilt into FilmL.A.
publisher = Hollywood Reporter
date = December 9, 2005
url = http://www.filmla.com/HollywoodRep_120905_FilmLA.pdf
accessdate = 2007-05-24|format=PDF A [http://www.backstage.com/bso/news_reviews/film/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001658014 text version] of the article is available from [http://www.backstage.com/ BACKSTAGE.com; The Actor's Resource] ] cite news
title = EIDC Film Office Becomes FilmL.A., Inc.; New Name and Downtown Headquarters Underscore Response to Growing Worldwide Competition for Entertainment Production
publisher = FilmL.A., Inc.
date = December 9, 2005
url = http://www.filmla.com/EIDC%20Press%20Release%20120905%20-%20EIDC%20Becomes%20FilmL.A.pdf
accessdate = 2007-05-25|format=PDFA [http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/12-09-2005/0004231132&EDATE= text version] of the article is available from [http://www.prnewswire.com/ PR Newswire] ] In March 2005, the LAUSD entered into a new three year contract with the EIDC, aftering soliciting bids from other vendors.cite news
last = Hernandez
first = Greg
title = Schools profiting from screen roles
publisher = Daily News
date = March 22, 2005
url = http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-17751667_ITM
accessdate = 2007-05-23 The [http://www.thefreelibrary.com/SCHOOLS+PROFITING+FROM+SCREEN+ROLES-a0130816065 full text] of the article is available at the [http://www.thefreelibrary.com/ The Free Library] by [http://www.farlex.com/ Farlex Inc.] ] Ruben Rojas, the LAUSD's director of revenue enhancement, said that the district choose to continue working with the EIDC because of "its proven track record and ability to deal with complex film-permitting issues.". Indeed, during that time, FilmL.A. expanded the number of schools that had hosted on-location filming from 19 schools to more than 200 schools: coordinating 1,500 film shoots at 250 LAUSD sites.cite news
last = Kennedy
first = Mike
title = The Big Squeeze
publisher = [http://asumag.com/ American School & University Magazine]
date = February 1, 2004
url = http://asumag.com/mag/university_big_squeeze/
accessdate = 2007-05-25] The LAUSD's filming profits for the 2003-2004 school year generated almost $1 million dollars, and the district is on target to for an annual film revenue increase to at least $1.5 million.cite news
last = Boghossian
first = Naush
title = LAUSD Schools Are Film-Friendly
publisher = Daily News
date = 09-September-05
url = http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-9606266_ITM
accessdate = 2007-05-25] The doubling of the LAUSD's film revenue in the four years since FilmL.A. was original hired in March 2002 was a contributing factor to Burbank Unified School District's decision to hire Film L.A. in July of 2006.cite news
title = Entertainment Industry Development Corporation of Southern California; Financial Statement; June 30, 2003 and 2004 (With Independent Auditors' Reports Theron)
work = Notes to Financial Statement; June 30, 2003 and 2004
publisher = EIDE
page = 5
url = http://www.eidc.com/Audited_Financial_Statements_FYE_2004.pdf
accessdate = 2007-05-25|format=PDF]

Under FilmL.A.'s current contract with the city, the company receives "a 16% management fee based on the total use fee". 75 percent of the remaining filming monies go to the individual schools that host the on-location shooting to be used at the school's discretion, and 25 percent goes to a district fund that benefits schools that do not generate film revenues of their own. [cite news
title = LAUSD RENEWS EIDC CONTRACT TO MANAGE ON-LOCATION FILM PERMITTING; Production Grows as Source of School District Revenue
publisher = EIDC
date = March 21, 2005
url = http://www.eidc.com/LAUSD_Release.pdf
accessdate = 2007-05-24|format=PDF A [http://www.digital50.com/news/items/PR/2005/03/21/LAM075/lausd-renews-eidc-contract-to-manage-on-location-film-permitting.html text version] of the article is available at [http://www.digital50.com Digital50.com; An American Digital Networks Production] ] Uni High distributes among the departments the first $12,000 made each year from on-campus filming. The Budget Committee makes spending recommendations for any additional monies.

Recent budget cuts have made filming at schools more attractive. In 2004, the number of schools volunteering to be film locations grew from 19 to 160 and the district's annual film revenue doubled to $1 million. In 2005, LAUSD officials revised the district's fee structure for the first time since 1992. The revision included extending a full day of shooting from 14 to 15 hours, and a daily rate increase from $1,700 to $2,500.

Uni has been noted in the press as being one of the more popular schools for filming, even compared to other local schools with similar structure and appearance. In 2003 and 2004 alone, 38 movies, TV shows and commercials were filmed at University High. This popularity, with both its positive and negative impacts, is credited to the Assistant Principal who is responsible for the filming on campus.

The Assistant Principal, Ali Galedary, who graduated from Uni High himself in 1978, [ [http://www.universitywildcats.org/apps/directory/directory_item.jsp?REC_ID=311020&rn=5420707 Mr. Ali Galedary's entry] in [http://www.universitywildcats.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?userGroupREC_ID=26799&uREC_ID=26799&type=d&title=Alumni&un=ESD-Alu&rn=6079145 University High School's Alumni Directory] ] [ [http://www.universitywildcats.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=47007&type=u&title=Mr.+Ali++Galedary&un=agaledary&rn=8920358 Mr. Ali Galedary's profile] in [http://www.universitywildcats.org/apps/staff/?rn=6694109 University High School's Staff Directory] ] says, "Our kids understand, and our teachers understand, that filming is beneficial to University High School." He also believes that the filming can be a good experience for the students. Student reporters have interviewed actors filming at the school and the drama students get to "observe the set". [cite news
last = Shorr
first = Pamela Wheaton
title = Bits & Bytes: Lights, Camera.
publisher = Plugged In from [http://www.scholastic.com/ Scholastic.com]
date = 11/05/2004
url = http://content.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=307#bits
accessdate = 2007-05-23] One student's photograph of Jim Carrey during the "Bruce Almighty" shoot ran in the "Christian Science Monitor" with a photo byline for her and the school newspaper (where the photograph originally ran).

In November 2006, "Drillbit Taylor", starring Owen Wilson began filming at Uni. As of April 2007, the $90,000 received for this production is the most that the school has made on an individual filming contract. Uni underwent massive renovations in order to prepare for the filming of "Drillbit Taylor". The interior and exterior of the main building were painted, and the main building was retiled as well. The facade of the building was altered to read "McKinley High School," and plants and grass patches were added throughout the school. These changes were unusual not only because the extent and timing of the changes meant that construction took place during the school year, but also because "Drillbit Taylor" production did not pay for the re-tiling. The district had provided money to re-tile floors throughout the LAUSD, so the re-tiling of the floors itself was not unusual or controversial. However, as the film's production needs guided the color choices for the re-tiling and the schedule for construction, many students were upset by the behavior of the movie company and the school.

Below is an incomplete list of productions that have filmed at University High:
[
Drillbit Taylor" filming during school hours.]

Movies

*"Billie", 1965 [ [http://www.runningmovies.com/b2.htm RunningMovies.com] ]
*"Pretty Maids All in a Row", 1971 [ [http://www.newsfromme.com/archives/2006_08_12.html News from me ARCHIVES] at [http://www.povonline.com/ POV Online] ]
*"Jawbreaker", 1999 [ [http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000PH40H2 Product Description] at Amazon.com]
*"Bruce Almighty", 2003
*"The Battle of Shaker Heights", 2003cite news
coauthors = Berezin, Jacob, Dubon, Jose, Kolahi, Kourosh
title = ‘Shaker Heights’ Films Battle on Campus
publisher = Wildcat
date = 2003-03-21
url = http://my.highschooljournalism.org/ca/losangeles/uni/article.cfm?eid=479&aid=5104
accessdate = 2007-04-22]
*"Raise Your Voice", 2004
*"Surviving Christmas", 2004cite news
last = Piterberg
first = Uri
title = Hollywood Films on Campus
publisher = Wildcat
date = 4/11/2003
url = http://my.highschooljournalism.org/ca/losangeles/uni/article.cfm?eid=548&aid=5985
accessdate = 2007-04-22]
*"The Hot Chick", 2004
* "Freedom Writers", 2007, [cite news
last = Piccalo
first = Gina
title = Did 'Writers' get it wrong?
publisher = Los Angeles Times
date = January 9, 2007
url = http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-freedom9jan09,0,3371389.story?coll=la-home-entertainment
accessdate = 2007-04-22]
*"Drillbit Taylor", 2008

Television

*"My So-Called Life", 1994 [ [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108872/ "My So-Called Life"] at the Internet Movie Database]
*"Oliver Beene", 2003 - 2004
*"7th Heaven", from 1995 - 2007, University High served as Glen Oak High School
*"Even Stevens", aired 2001 - 2004
*"Joan of Arcadia", aired 2003 - 2005
*"Arrested Development", aired 2003 - 2006 [ [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0367279/locations "Arrested Development"] at the Internet Movie Database]

Individual episodes

*The Flannerys, pilot, shot 2003 [ [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0777215/ The Flannerys] at the Internet Movie Database]
*"High School Undercover", pilot, shot March 2004
*"JAG", shot March 2004 [cite news
last = Simanian
first = Jessica
title = JAG Swoops Into Campus, Bringing Drama and Intrigue
publisher = Wildcat
date = 2004-03-26
url = http://my.highschooljournalism.org/ca/losangeles/uni/article.cfm?eid=1632&aid=20909
accessdate = 2007-05-23]
*"Filmore Middle", pilot, shot 2005 [cite news
last = Dubon
first = Lynda
title = Film Crews Cruise Uni’s Halls
publisher = Wildcat
date = 2005-04-29
url = http://my.highschooljournalism.org/ca/losangeles/uni/article.cfm?eid=3533&aid=48898
accessdate = 2007-05-23]
*"Day Break", pilot, shot 2007 [cite news
last = Shapiro
first = Regina
title = Taye Diggs Films Pilot
publisher = Wildcat
date = 2006-03-24
url = http://my.highschooljournalism.org/ca/losangeles/uni/article.cfm?eid=5559&aid=82782
accessdate = 2007-04-22]
*"The Division", season finale, shot May 2004

Other

*The Crystal Method's music video Name of the Game, 2002.

*JoJo's music video Leave (Get Out), 2004

Attendance area

Neighborhoods served by University High include West Los Angeles, portions of Brentwood (including Brentwood Glen), Beverly Glen, Beverly Hills Post Office [cite news
last = Spitz
first = H. May
title = Canyon homes and that famous ZIP Code
publisher = Los Angeles Times
date = July 11, 2004
url = http://www.latimes.com/classified/realestate/printedition/la-re-guide11jul11,1,263579.story
accessdate = 2006-12-29] Westwood, Bel-Air, Sawtelle, Benedict Canyon, the Wilshire Corridor, [" [http://www.latimes.com/classified/realestate/news/communities/2004/la-re-guide14nov14,0,4993480.story?page=2&coll=la-realestate-communities-2004 Mini-Manhattan, just west of Los Angeles] ," "Los Angeles Times"] and Holmby Hills. Also included in its service area are relatively distant canyon neighborhoods adjacent to the city of Beverly Hills; since the neighborhoods are in Los Angeles, the students are not in the Beverly Hills Unified School District boundaries.

Like other Westside high schools such as Westchester and Palisades, University High School enrolls a diverse mix of students from its enrollment area and various parts of the city; on top of Westside neighborhoods, Uni draws students from areas such as Koreatown and South Los Angeles. The school also enrolls many Capacity Adjustment Program students which come from areas zoned to heavily overcrowded high schools.

Two new LAUSD high schools opened in fall 2005, four more in fall 2006, and one more in fall 2007, decreasing the number of transfer students in other high schools.

ee also

*List of alumni of University High School (Los Angeles, California)

Notes and references

* [http://www.reel-scout.com/filmla/loc_detail_p.aspx?id=10000133 Location Information for University High School] from [http://www.eidc.com FilmL.A., Inc.]
*cite news
last = Satzman
first = Darrell
title = LAUSD auditioning to land bigger role in Hollwood. (Up Front).
publisher = Los Angeles Business Journal
pages = 1-3
date = March 25 2002
url = http://www.allbusiness.com/north-america/united-states-california-metro-areas/264137-1.html
accessdate = 2007-05-25

External links

* [http://my.highschooljournalism.org/ca/losangeles/uni/ Recent editions of the "Wildcat"]
* [http://www.universitywildcats.org University High School]