Students at UC Berkeley protest against cuts. From SFgate.com
On Thursday UC Campuses faced demonstrations from students and staff against University budget cuts and proposed fee increases. I understand that our entire country is facing an economic crisis but I have never ever believed that the place to cut is in our schools. In the Campus Confidant mantra it reads that EDUCATION = EMPOWERMENT. The beauty of the UC system is that it provides both education and empowerment to a polyglot of ethnicities, communities, financial brackets and more. There is so much I wish to say but I don’t think I could improve upon Gavin Newsom’s post in the Huffington Post. Here are a few of the highlights from his post entitled “LET’S GET OUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT”. The entire post can be read at The Huffington Post.
UC Berkeley will be eliminating approximately one out of every ten courses this coming year. UC San Francisco will potentially have to reduce their faculty by fourteen percent because of the recent cuts. UCLA has reduced support to research centers by fifty percent. UC Irvine has completely stopped admitting students into their education program.
All across the state, we are choking off opportunity for hundreds of thousands of young Californians to build a better life for themselves and a better future for California.
Let me be clear: I favor fully funding the UC system. Cannibalizing our state’s future through cuts to education is the exact opposite of the kind of reform and long-term thinking we need from our leaders in Sacramento.
We have a system in California that discourages thoughtful budget and financial planning, requiring a two-thirds majority every year to pass a budget that paralyzes our state. We have a complex web of ballot initiatives that further complicates the process.
Walkouts like the one currently planned will become more frequent unless we undertake systemic reforms and truly take California in a new direction.
We need to convene a constitutional convention and get serious about changes to the system. Until we do, we’re jeopardizing our ability to be competitive in the global economy. Preparing our children for success in the 21st century necessitates investment in higher education not cuts to it.
In San Francisco, we have a robust rainy day fund. We drew down on our reserves to make sure not a single teacher in San Francisco was laid off when the recession hit. We created a partnership between SFSU, the school district, and the city to guarantee a college education to every public school 6th grader who wants one. And if their families can’t afford tuition, we help with that too.
We operate with a limited budget in San Francisco, just like the state. But we managed to keep teachers in the classroom and promise every student a chance to go to college. We didn’t raise taxes — we reformed the budget process and used resources in a smarter way.
It’s time to shake up the system that’s put our state in this mess. We need come together to fundamentally rethink how we govern California.
I haven’t gotten too far into my research for the next California gubernatorial election but I can’t deny that Gavin Newsom has a point here. To follow follow Gavin Newsom on Twitter click here.
xoxo peace and love, Vanesa
UC Berkeley will be eliminating approximately one out of every ten courses this coming year. UC San Francisco will potentially have to reduce their faculty by fourteen percent because of the recent cuts. UCLA has reduced support to research centers by fifty percent. UC Irvine has completely stopped admitting students into their education program.
All across the state, we are choking off opportunity for hundreds of thousands of young Californians to build a better life for themselves and a better future for California.
And it’s our fault. We’ve allowed our system of governance to de-fund and de-prioritize higher education, putting our state’s economic future in jeopardy.
Let me be clear: I favor fully funding the UC system. Cannibalizing our state’s future through cuts to education is the exact opposite of the kind of reform and long-term thinking we need from our leaders in Sacramento.
But the current resource-constrained situation forces us to make difficult choices about our shared priorities. We must protect our environment, provide universal health care and invest in infrastructure development. And therein lies our statewide dilemma.
We have a system in California that discourages thoughtful budget and financial planning, requiring a two-thirds majority every year to pass a budget that paralyzes our state. We have a complex web of ballot initiatives that further complicates the process.
Walkouts like the one currently planned will become more frequent unless we undertake systemic reforms and truly take California in a new direction.
We need to convene a constitutional convention and get serious about changes to the system. Until we do, we’re jeopardizing our ability to be competitive in the global economy. Preparing our children for success in the 21st century necessitates investment in higher education not cuts to it.
In San Francisco, we have a robust rainy day fund. We drew down on our reserves to make sure not a single teacher in San Francisco was laid off when the recession hit. We created a partnership between SFSU, the school district, and the city to guarantee a college education to every public school 6th grader who wants one. And if their families can’t afford tuition, we help with that too.
We operate with a limited budget in San Francisco, just like the state. But we managed to keep teachers in the classroom and promise every student a chance to go to college. We didn’t raise taxes — we reformed the budget process and used resources in a smarter way.
It’s time to shake up the system that’s put our state in this mess. We need come together to fundamentally rethink how we govern California.
Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gavin-newsom/lets-get-our-priorities-s_b_297374.html
With the upcoming University of California walkout, we asked our Facebook community recently how the impending UC and CSU cuts were affecting them. The response was overwhelming:
Stephanie from SF State needed only two classes to graduate with her bachelor’s degree. But one of the courses was eliminated — graduation will have to wait until next year.
A mother from the East Bay worried that her daughter couldn’t enroll in a single class she needs and is about to lose her student status, her financial aid, and health insurance.
Sarah from UC Davis saw her tuition increase almost ten percent, while her mother, a state employee, just took a 15 percent pay cut.
UC Berkeley will be eliminating approximately one out of every ten courses this coming year. UC San Francisco will potentially have to reduce their faculty by fourteen percent because of the recent cuts. UCLA has reduced support to research centers by fifty percent. UC Irvine has completely stopped admitting students into their education program.
All across the state, we are choking off opportunity for hundreds of thousands of young Californians to build a better life for themselves and a better future for California.
And it’s our fault. We’ve allowed our system of governance to de-fund and de-prioritize higher education, putting our state’s economic future in jeopardy.
Let me be clear: I favor fully funding the UC system. Cannibalizing our state’s future through cuts to education is the exact opposite of the kind of reform and long-term thinking we need from our leaders in Sacramento.
But the current resource-constrained situation forces us to make difficult choices about our shared priorities. We must protect our environment, provide universal health care and invest in infrastructure development. And therein lies our statewide dilemma.
We have a system in California that discourages thoughtful budget and financial planning, requiring a two-thirds majority every year to pass a budget that paralyzes our state. We have a complex web of ballot initiatives that further complicates the process.
Walkouts like the one currently planned will become more frequent unless we undertake systemic reforms and truly take California in a new direction.
We need to convene a constitutional convention and get serious about changes to the system. Until we do, we’re jeopardizing our ability to be competitive in the global economy. Preparing our children for success in the 21st century necessitates investment in higher education not cuts to it.
In San Francisco, we have a robust rainy day fund. We drew down on our reserves to make sure not a single teacher in San Francisco was laid off when the recession hit. We created a partnership between SFSU, the school district, and the city to guarantee a college education to every public school 6th grader who wants one. And if their families can’t afford tuition, we help with that too.
We operate with a limited budget in San Francisco, just like the state. But we managed to keep teachers in the classroom and promise every student a chance to go to college. We didn’t raise taxes — we reformed the budget process and used resources in a smarter way.
It’s time to shake up the system that’s put our state in this mess. We need come together to fundamentally rethink how we govern California.
Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gavin-newsom/lets-get-our-priorities-s_b_297374.html
UC Berkeley will be eliminating approximately one out of every ten courses this coming year. UC San Francisco will potentially have to reduce their faculty by fourteen percent because of the recent cuts. UCLA has reduced support to research centers by fifty percent. UC Irvine has completely stopped admitting students into their education program.
All across the state, we are choking off opportunity for hundreds of thousands of young Californians to build a better life for themselves and a better future for California.
And it’s our fault. We’ve allowed our system of governance to de-fund and de-prioritize higher education, putting our state’s economic future in jeopardy.
Let me be clear: I favor fully funding the UC system. Cannibalizing our state’s future through cuts to education is the exact opposite of the kind of reform and long-term thinking we need from our leaders in Sacramento.
But the current resource-constrained situation forces us to make difficult choices about our shared priorities. We must protect our environment, provide universal health care and invest in infrastructure development. And therein lies our statewide dilemma.
We have a system in California that discourages thoughtful budget and financial planning, requiring a two-thirds majority every year to pass a budget that paralyzes our state. We have a complex web of ballot initiatives that further complicates the process.
Walkouts like the one currently planned will become more frequent unless we undertake systemic reforms and truly take California in a new direction.
We need to convene a constitutional convention and get serious about changes to the system. Until we do, we’re jeopardizing our ability to be competitive in the global economy. Preparing our children for success in the 21st century necessitates investment in higher education not cuts to it.
In San Francisco, we have a robust rainy day fund. We drew down on our reserves to make sure not a single teacher in San Francisco was laid off when the recession hit. We created a partnership between SFSU, the school district, and the city to guarantee a college education to every public school 6th grader who wants one. And if their families can’t afford tuition, we help with that too.
We operate with a limited budget in San Francisco, just like the state. But we managed to keep teachers in the classroom and promise every student a chance to go to college. We didn’t raise taxes — we reformed the budget process and used resources in a smarter way.
It’s time to shake up the system that’s put our state in this mess. We need come together to fundamentally rethink how we govern California.
Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gavin-newsom/lets-get-our-priorities-s_b_297374.html
With the upcoming University of California walkout, we asked our Facebook community recently how the impending UC and CSU cuts were affecting them. The response was overwhelming:
Stephanie from SF State needed only two classes to graduate with her bachelor’s degree. But one of the courses was eliminated — graduation will have to wait until next year.
A mother from the East Bay worried that her daughter couldn’t enroll in a single class she needs and is about to lose her student status, her financial aid, and health insurance.
Sarah from UC Davis saw her tuition increase almost ten percent, while her mother, a state employee, just took a 15 percent pay cut.
UC Berkeley will be eliminating approximately one out of every ten courses this coming year. UC San Francisco will potentially have to reduce their faculty by fourteen percent because of the recent cuts. UCLA has reduced support to research centers by fifty percent. UC Irvine has completely stopped admitting students into their education program.
All across the state, we are choking off opportunity for hundreds of thousands of young Californians to build a better life for themselves and a better future for California.
And it’s our fault. We’ve allowed our system of governance to de-fund and de-prioritize higher education, putting our state’s economic future in jeopardy.
Let me be clear: I favor fully funding the UC system. Cannibalizing our state’s future through cuts to education is the exact opposite of the kind of reform and long-term thinking we need from our leaders in Sacramento.
But the current resource-constrained situation forces us to make difficult choices about our shared priorities. We must protect our environment, provide universal health care and invest in infrastructure development. And therein lies our statewide dilemma.
We have a system in California that discourages thoughtful budget and financial planning, requiring a two-thirds majority every year to pass a budget that paralyzes our state. We have a complex web of ballot initiatives that further complicates the process.
Walkouts like the one currently planned will become more frequent unless we undertake systemic reforms and truly take California in a new direction.
We need to convene a constitutional convention and get serious about changes to the system. Until we do, we’re jeopardizing our ability to be competitive in the global economy. Preparing our children for success in the 21st century necessitates investment in higher education not cuts to it.
In San Francisco, we have a robust rainy day fund. We drew down on our reserves to make sure not a single teacher in San Francisco was laid off when the recession hit. We created a partnership between SFSU, the school district, and the city to guarantee a college education to every public school 6th grader who wants one. And if their families can’t afford tuition, we help with that too.
We operate with a limited budget in San Francisco, just like the state. But we managed to keep teachers in the classroom and promise every student a chance to go to college. We didn’t raise taxes — we reformed the budget process and used resources in a smarter way.
It’s time to shake up the system that’s put our state in this mess. We need come together to fundamentally rethink how we govern California.
Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gavin-newsom/lets-get-our-priorities-s_b_297374.html
The Upright Citizens Brigade Touring Company will be stopping by UCSB’s The Hub for a FREE improv show tomorrow night from 8-10pm. You get can get more info on the event being thrown by AS Program Board here. I’ve always admired comedians, especially improv performers, for their ability to think quickly on their feet but also to spread some fun in the world! I heard the name of this group and instantly said, “Isn’t that a TV show?” Ahhhh yes, my memory serves me well. The group had their own show on Comedy Central for three seasons from 1998-2000 based off of the popularity of their Chicago and New York theaters and improv workshops. Even more inspiring is that one of the founding members of this comedy troupe is Amy Poehler of Saturday Night Live – Parks & Recreation – Mean Girls – Baby Momma – fame, a lot of which include one of my other all-time faves, TINA FEY!!!! Watch the below, and TRY to tell me that smart women can’t be funny:
The event being held at The Loft tonight will serve up music and food from 7:30-8pm then a showing of the film Dinner Rush at 8 pm. Now I haven’t seen Dinner Rush so I can’t give you a sales pitch on why you should go out and see it. But I do know it stars John Corbett and I’m sure there’s some type of “Carrie Bradshaw broke Aiden’s heart twice” obligation that makes me always want to support him. Also, he charms me over and over again in My Big Fat Greek Wedding every….single….time. Here’s a breakdown of the film from 
Although I never really wear clothes with sayings on them I absolutely love this shirt. “Don’t be Trashy, Recycle.” But it will take way more than a shirt to help the issues our planet is facing. So it was with pride and joy that I learned that 3 California campuses topped the Sierra Club’s 20 Eco Friendly Colleges. UCSC at #7, UC Berkeley at #8 and UCLA at #9. Even though I’m not a Bruin I’m especially pleased that UCLA came in at #9 since I live so close to the campus. It is great to see these institutions taking the initiative to help save our Mother Earth. As I learn more to take steps in living a more eco-friendly life I hope to post more and more about how a green life can be a fabulous life. To read more about the Sierra Club’s 20 Eco-Friendly college list, 
Here are the details of Caltopia listed on the 
I remember a time in LA where the taco truck was a shameful crime. Despite being ever-so-tasty, did you really know what kind of meat was in your super speedy burrito? Please believe this girl has had her fair share of hot dogs from a cart vendor in Santee Alley in Downtown LA. Those discount prom dresses always came with a $1.50 hot dog!!! 
