Representatives to the University of California Student
Association have taken it upon themselves to sue Gov. Arnold
Schwarzenegger. The lawsuit claims that the $148 million cuts made
in mid-December to various educational programs, including the UC,
were illegal. The lawsuit remains just one more
“accomplishment” for UCSA, which boasts an embarrassing
set of actions taken “on behalf of all UC
students.”
The case alleges the governor made cuts illegally without
consulting the state Legislature. The cuts took $12 million from UC
outreach funds and call for the elimination of all state outreach
funding in 2004-2005. The lawsuit insists the state supreme court
block the $148 million in cuts and asks that the governor reinstate
the vehicle license fee, which amounted to $4 billion in state
funds.
Yet these cuts were made under legislation initiated in the
previous budget that allows the governor to rearrange up to 5
percent of the budget after its approval. UCSA alleges the
provision may only be used for state emergencies, not situations
supposedly “created” by the governor. The budget
crisis, however, did not result from an immediate elimination of
the car tax ““ and reinstating the VLF will not bring the
state out of debt. The beginning of the California recession during
Gray Davis’ term as governor in 2000 brought on the budget
crisis the state faces today.
The crisis evolved from a complex array of factors: poor
management, inefficient and wasteful spending and economically
stifling legislation. California’s unfriendly business
legislation did not foster growth in the economy. Job loss and
business relocation pulled money out of what was the seventh
largest economy in the world. The governor used the provision to
rearrange funds legally. While these cuts remain detrimental to
higher education, they are a reality the UC must face because of
past legislative failings.
UCSA’s lawsuit bogs down a state court system already
overrun with a myriad of lawsuits over the same issue. Various
other organizations are competing with UCSA over funds the state
cannot provide because they simply do not possess them.
Unfortunately, increasing fees remains just as viable of an
alternative as raising taxes. Students must realize that they must
pay for the services they desire ““ the state cannot pay for
everything. Even with fee increases, the UC remains one of the most
inexpensive systems compared to schools of equally ranked
status.
Further, how can we conscionably demand money from the state at
a time when doing so means that we are literally taking it out of
the hands of people who need it much more. For example, many
developmentally disabled persons absolutely require the services
offered by the state in order to survive ““ services that
currently reside on the chopping block. Even if it can be
difficult, we, as college students, have the resources and the
ability to support ourselves ““ we should be doing everything
to avoid levying our burdens on others.
Additionally, the lawsuit wastes money. UCSA operates on fees
collected from UC students, anything from between $0.75 and $2.75,
depending on the campus. UCLA’s Associated Students
contributed the highest amount to UCSA, $65,912.00 ““ almost
triple the amount of the second highest contribution from UC San
Diego’s Associated Students. UCSA should use the funds it
possesses constructively.
For example, if UCSA’s concerns lie with outreach funding
lost in the budget cuts, they should give money back to UC campuses
for individual reallocation by student governments to such
programs. UCSA must work to find alternative sources of revenue for
the UC, instead of wasting precious funds, collected from student
fees, on a lawsuit that will most likely be fruitless.
Finally, the lawsuit remains out of UCSA’s jurisdiction.
UCSA advocates issues affecting the UC community, “through
coalition building, advocacy, training, and education,” in
order to, “(incite) thought and action not only in students,
but also in community members, administrators, faculty, and
staff.” UCSA should not become sue happy. UCSA should act
logically and effectively, building a coalition of UC supporters to
raise funding for the UC system.
Although the UC remains a public institution, it must begin to
find alternative means of funding. UCSA should not engage in
inefficient and ineffective lawsuits that will damage the
reputation of its student body.
Paganini is a third-year geography and political science
student. E-mail her at [email protected]. Send general
comments to [email protected].