Too often, college costs become a battle between students and administrators. But now, in this dismal economy, it is the state government that has both sides concerned about where funding will come from.
UCLA’s top administrators have taken a stand on the issue, addressing fee increases and other necessary evils of the budget crisis with students in a recent meeting.
For this, we should thank them. Top-tier people such as Chancellor Gene Block, Vice Chancellor of Finance, Budget and Capital Programs Steve Olsen, and University of California President Mark Yudof all spoke candidly to their audience about the implications of the impending budget cuts and the future of financing a UC education. They will initiate scholarships and cut spending in various departments to ensure students will be able to afford a higher education at UCLA.
While many questions remained unanswered and our future is uncertain at best, we should be happy our administration is willing to address these issues with us, and we should be willing to work with them to help maintain our high standard of education during our state’s massive budget crisis.