Advocacy & External Affairs
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Act Now!It's Raining Debt - Fight Fee Hikes & Enrollment Growth HaltsOn January 10, 2008 Governor Schwarzenegger released his state budget proposal for 2008-2009. His budget release included massive cuts to social services throughout the state. For the UC System, he proposed raising fees by 7.4% with some professional students paying up to19% fee increases, and an overall $331.9 million cut to the system budget. This massive cut to the UC system could lead to fee hikes above the Governor's level, up to 20%, and halting enrollment growth for the UC system. Halting enrollment growth would mean thousands of students applying to the UC this spring may be denied simply because the UC can't afford to admit them. The state budget cannot continually be balanced on the backs of students. Join our fight with these upcoming actions.
Send a Postcard to Budget Subcommittee LeadershipWe are collecting 1,000's of postcards state-wide and deliver ing them to Subcommittee leadership during budget hearings. Each postcard we send represents a voter or resident against the fee hikes and enrollment growth halt. Sign a postcard today at www.ucsa.org/toolkit/08BudgetPostcard.php and spread the word to friends and colleagues.
Finanical Aid TestimonialsWe are collecting Financial Aid Testimonials to urge the Regents to standardize financial aid policy and avoid fee increases. Please download a fillable PDF form (below), fill it out, and email to kelly@ucsa.org by May 7, 2008. Paper forms are also available in the GSA Office (Kerckhoff 316).
Visit State Legislators in AprilOn Friday, April 18, 2008, the undergraduate and graduate associations of UCLA will collectively visit over 20 of our local elected officials in the California State Legislature to voice our concerns regarding these budget cuts and the impact it will have on our education. If you are interested in participating in these lobby visits or in future lobbying efforts please contact GSA Legislative Liaison Eunie Kim at leg@gsa.asucla.ucla.edu.
Apply to be a Whiteliner at the May Regents Meeting On May the UC Board of Regents will meet at UCLA. UCSA has four whiteliner positions available. Whiteliners are students that get to go past the line that separates the approved guest from the audience and speak directly with the Regents and meet with them in informal situations such as breaks and meals. Apply by April 30, 2008. Visit www.ucsa.org or see instructions below.
May 2008 UC Regents Meeting - Student Fee Increases, Cuts to Student Mental Health, Cuts to Graduate Student SupportThe following information was taken from an email sent by Jesse Bernal, UC Student Association University Affairs Committee Chair, on April 9, 2008. It was addressed to all UC Students (graduate, professional, and undergraduate). 1. General Information about WhiteliningThere are four UCSA-affiliated whiteliners at each day of the Regents meeting. Whiteliners are provided direct access to the Regents - they get to go past the line that separates the approved guest from the audience that must sit in back. Whiteliners therefore have the opportunity to speak directly with the Regents and meet with them in informal situations such as breaks and meals. The responsibility of a UCSA whiteliner is to advocate UCSA's positions on issues the Regents will be considering and to build relationships for UCSA with as many of the Regents as possible. This is also one of the few times students have the opportunity to tell the Regents about our priorities and our action agenda. Funding for travel and meals is provided by the UC Office of the President for the day you are whitelining. Students are generally only appointed to whiteline on one day of the two- or three-day Regents meeting. 2. Specifics about the May Regents meetingThe March Regents meeting is on May 13, 14, and 15 at UCLA. The Regents will be voting on the 2008-2009 Undergraduate and Graduate student Registration and Educational Fees at this meeting. The Financial Office at the Office of the President has recommended a 7% to 10% Educational Fee and 10% Registration Fee increase for 2008-2009 school year at all UC campuses. Other budget recommendations include cuts to proposed increases for student mental health services and graduate student support. Whiteliners will have the unique possibility of convincing "swing" voters on student fee increases (there are some!) to vote against them. If you have personal stories about how fee increases have impacted you or how high fees deter you or family members from succeeding at the UC, we encourage you to apply. If you are interested in whitelining on behalf of UCSA, please provide us with the following information to gsavpexternal@sa.ucsb.edu by April 30, 2008 at 10:00 PM (PDT).
If you have any questions, please contact Ray Austin at uadirector@ucsa.org or (510) 834-8272. |
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