Budget Crisis Threatens the University of California

The University of California is considered America's leading public institution of higher learning, but cutbacks in state funding may put that that status at risk. At UCLA, the Labor Center will close; deans have been told to cut courses, majors and numbers of faculty by 10 to 20%.  In-state tuition is already almost $9000 and it could go higher.  Freshman enrollment for this fall may drop by 500 students. The nine other campuses face comparable assaults on the university's basic mission of higher education for California's high school graduates. Tomorrow, University President Mark Yudof will present the Board of Regents with a plan for an $813 million reduction.