Reforming California: Can We Save Ourselves From Financial Ruin?

Oh, California, how the mighty have fallen! The Golden State has long been the subject of many wistful anthems, like the Mamas and the Papas’ California Dreaming and the Beach Boys’ California Girls.  And why not? This state of ours is blessed with nearly constant sunshine, beautiful beaches and, of course, Isla Vista. Unfortunately, California is now privy to another claim: a $26.3 billion budget deficit. In the past week, the state has issued $354 million in IOUs, and will continue to do so until our legislators in Sacramento manage to find a solution to the budget crisis. To be honest, it’s not looking good; two weeks into the fiscal year, and lawmakers continue to squabble as they search for a solution to the shambles in which our finances lie. (more…)

Berlin’s Top Models

BERLIN - It’s like clockwork.

I’ll be at the Lining Bar, one of the Berlin’s sexiest bars, one where you can really splurge. The white silk of the bed on which I’ll be reclining on shines flourescently in the soft blue light spilling out from behind the bar. The way I’ll be lying there sipping my Singapore Sling, watching a plethora of scantily clad women milling around the bar will remind me of pool parties at the Mandalay Bay that I’ve never been to. I’ll be radiating sexuality and confidence with the seductive way I wrap my lips around the straw of my next drink, a Vodka Gimlet. All the while The DJ will have been spinning something appropriately minimalist, something that’ll make you feel really sophisticated and avant garde in a European kind of way.

Unfortunately, the beer is fucking expensive—fun at this bar comes at a steep price.

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Furlough Plan Endorsed, Awaits Final Vote

With the approval of the UC Regents’ committee on finance and compensation, UC President Mark G. Yudof’s financial plan is nearly official.

The proposal will go before the full board of Regents for a vote today.

If approved, the plan will go into effect Sept. 1 and require UC faculty and staff to take 11 to 26 furlough days each year. Pay cuts would range from four to 10 percent, and workers making more money would receive larger salary reductions and more days off.

The savings would amount to $184 million – about a quarter of the $813 budget deficit that the UC faces next year.

We’ll have a full report on this soon, as well as a spotlight on UCSB’s response to the financial crisis.

For more, see our recent article and check out the plan on the Regents website.

“You’re Gonna Love My Nuts”

There’s only one thing on Earth better than the Slap Chop. And that’s the Slap Chop Rap.
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UC Regents Meeting Starts Today

The all-important UC Regents meeting commences today at UCSF Mission Bay. Up for discussion? Just the little question of the university’s financial future.

With UC President Mark G. Yudof’s proposals for millions in cuts across the 10 campuses as well as pay reductions and furlough days for employees on the table, the decisions of the Regents at this week’s gathering will set into motion some major changes for the UC system. 

The UC chancellors will also get the opportunity to share their ideas and plans for their campuses and there’s no doubt that the public comment sessions will feature some impassioned responses to the UC’s plans.

As Yudof said recently at a press conference, “there will be real pain on every campus. There’s no way we’ll be able to look students in the eye and say this will be the same university.”

Just what that means for UCSB is still up in the air, so check out our second summer edition on newsstands tomorrow for more and be sure to visit dailynexus.com for updates throughout the week.

You can view the July 14-16 agenda here.

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