By Neal Narahara
Daily Bruin Senior Staff

The new UCLA Medical Center will bear the name of former President Ronald Reagan in honor of a $150 million donation ­ the largest in UCLA history ­ toward its construction, Chancellor Albert Carnesale announced Wednesday morning.

The fund-raising for the donation is being conducted as a larger $180 million effort which will also give $30 million to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Foundation. The effort, led by Jerry Perenchio, the majority owner of Spanish-language station Univision and rated as one of the 100 richest Americans, has already raised $80 million.

"We're proud to name the medical center after Ronald Reagan, who served extremely well as a leader of the nation, the state and the world," said Carnesale to an audience of doctors, donors, university officials and reporters.

"We have the deepest appreciation and gratitude for those who are making it possible to brighten the future of so many Americans," he added.

After the announcement from Carnesale and expressions of thanks from Dr. Gerald Levey, dean of the medical school and provost of the medical sciences, former First Lady Nancy Reagan made a brief statement of thanks on behalf of her husband, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease after his presidency.

"Although Ronnie couldn't be here today, I hope you all know how grateful we are," she said. "He would be so proud to have this great medical center ­ this fabulous medical center ­ named after him."

"I can't wait until 2004," she added, referring to the planned opening date of the new facility.

While the speakers at the conference celebrated Reagan's life and leadership, other members of the medical community recalled a different legacy ­ as an enemy of labor. The former president made a lasting impression on labor groups when he fired thousands of striking air traffic controllers in 1981.

"He came from labor, as president of the Actor's Guild, and he turned his back on labor, period," said Jose Roberto Hernandez, a spokesman for the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, which represents employees at the medical center.

Levey said he did not know about Reagan's labor record and did not consider it when members of his management team proposed the name. Furthermore, he said he did not believe there would be any opposition.

"It would be preposterous to think this would affect our relationship in regards to labor," Levey said. "Quite frankly, it wasn't considered."

Now that the announcement has been made, however, Levey and the administration may have to consider it.

"It's certainly deserving of protest. It's symbolic of a trend in the university away from human rights and dignity," said David Johnson, a spokesman for the California Nurses' Association which represents about 2,000 employees at the medical center.

In contrast, Levey focused on the positive aspects of Reagan's career and cited the broad support for the former president.

"The simple fact is that these are noble people who give their lives and we need to show our appreciation for these people," Levey said. "It is difficult for me to fathom (any opposition). He holds a special place in the hearts of everyone in this country."

In addition to opposition over the naming itself, labor officials questioned the manner in which the name was chosen, complaining the decision was made without an opportunity for outside input. In fact, they were unaware of the renaming until it was publicly announced.

"It's horrible. It's like naming the Titanic after an iceberg," said Cliff Fried, the external vice president of Union of Professional Technical Employees, a union that represents an estimated 700 social workers, researchers, and technical employees at the current medical center. "Nobody was brought into this decision-making process."

Union officials expressed the desire to meet with each other and university administrators to discuss the naming of the medical center, but due to the surprising nature of the announcement, have not yet made concrete plans.

"It's good they're getting the money, but I'm opposed to the whole notion of naming things that do not represent the city or the city's work force," Hernandez said.

In addition to the donation, the new hospital, which will cost $772 million to build and equip, is also being provided with $432 million in earthquake relief funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency as well as $44 million from the state.

The new, 525-bed Medical Center will replace the old one, which sustained structural damage during the 1994 Northridge earthquake.

"Perhaps, one day, people here will be able to cure diseases that, today, are hopeless," the former first lady said.

After the press conference, Carnesale also expressed a hopeful view for the future in the short term.

"You can't eliminate somebody just because there might be some controversy," Carnesale said. "He was a successful president to the vast majority of Americans. I hope that even if they disagreed with him, they will honor a great president."

"This gift from his friends and supporters will make possible a medical center that will serve all of California and beyond," he said.