UCPD suffers once again from state budget cuts

University police have been forced to scale back because of consecutive, 5 percent cuts that have slashed the police department’s budget in 2009 and again in 2010.

These cuts stem from a loss of state funding, which provides for about 50 percent, or $6 million, of the UCPD budget.

In general, UCPD must be more wary with the way it spends money, said assistant chief of police Jeff Young.

Free testing offered on World AIDS Day

Status updates for Facebook are common among UCLA students; HIV/AIDS updates are not.

The theme for this year’s World AIDS Day, occurring today, is “Have you Updated Your Status?” playing off of the popular networking site.

Students are encouraged to get tested and have open communication with their partners, said Kaitlynn Yandell, a second-year international development studies student and an AIDS Ambassador.

World AIDS Day is put on by the Student Welfare Commission and AIDS Awareness Committee on campus.

“It’s just a way for people to get talking about AIDS in a fun type of environment,” said Anjum Bokhari, co-director for the AIDS Awareness Committee and a fourth-year biology student.

Processions from the Court of Sciences, De Neve Plaza and Dickson Court will converge at Bruin Plaza to start out the day’s events.