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.

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.

London: Eats

LONDON - Contrary to what you’ve heard, English food is not heinous.

I’m serious. This is my second summer in London and my third in England, and I’m here to say that I love English food. But if you don’t (many strange people hate delicious things like fried foods and sausages, I’ve learned), let me guarantee that London will still blow you away with its cuisine. Really.

London has really magnificent options for any foodie - from gastropubs to ethnic restaurants to markets. English people also know how to make one hell of a sandwich.

The greatest part, though, is that you can do it on the cheap. For one of the most expensive cities in the world, this is a blessing to an unpaid intern. With that, here are some of my recommendations for the best eats in London: (more…)

UCSB Budget Forum Set for July 9

With California’s budgetary process in shambles and the UC facing an $800 million deficit, Chancellor Henry T. Yang recently announced a town hall meeting to discuss UCSB’s situation. If you want to learn more or add your two cents about how UCSB could deal with a budget shortfall next year of at least $40 million, mark your calendars for Thursday, July 9 from 3-5 p.m. in Campbell Hall. Plenty of UCSB bigwigs will be there to answer questions and hopefully provide some insight into how they plan to deal with such a massive loss of funding.

The meeting will feature External Vice Chancellor Gene Lucas, Senate Chair Joel Michaelsen, Assistant Chancellor Todd Lee and Human Resources Director Cynthia Cronk, as well as Chancellor Yang.

We’ll be covering the meeting, so check back here or at dailynexus.com for more.

Update: No Jackson Viewing at Neverland

Well, that wrapped up rather quickly. Michael Jackson’s body will NOT be coming to Neverland Ranch for a public viewing after all. The AP is reporting that a memorial for the deceased pop star is in the works, but it won’t be held at Neverland.

Following inital reports, hotels throughout the area were booked to capacity for the weekend and reporters staked out in front of Neverland days in advance to cover the expected event. This news probably didn’t go over too well with everyone out there.

Michael Jackson Public Viewing Set for Friday

Everyone who’s in Santa Barbara for the summer should brace themselves: the Michael Jackson circus is coming to town. CNN recently confirmed that Jackson’s body will be on public display at Neverland Ranch on Friday, July 3.

His body is set to arrive in Los Olivos on Thursday. Reports claim that a 30-car motorcade will accompany Jackson’s remains into Santa Barbara County.

The family will hold a private service on Sunday at Neverland.

Keep checking the Daily Nexog for more updates as this story develops.

The King of Pop Returns to Santa Barbara?

Could Michael Jackson’s final resting place eventually be Neverland Ranch? That’s what news websites the world over are claiming, with the additional idea that Neverland would become a sort of Graceland for the deceased pop star with his grave as the major attraction.

Lucky Los Olivos. With its nice two-lane road and classy wine country pedigree, I’m sure this is just what our charming neighbor to the north wants. And let’s be perfectly honest: This plan is pretty creepy. Neverland Ranch is the place, after all, that Jackson was forced to give up because of financial ruin/awkwardness from being accused of child molestation. Good times.

So, crazed fans, would you make the trek out to Neverland Ranch to pay homage to the King of Pop if it turns into a tourist attraction? Any chance that the Ferris wheel, petting zoo or roller coaster will be part of a Jackson memorial? And, perhaps, most importantly, where will the HIStory statue  go?

[Source: billboard.com]
[Image courtesy of Aguilac under Creative Commons]

Prof. Robinson Case Terminated

On June 24, UCSB officials announced the end of the investigation of sociology and global studies professor William Robinson. Robinson, who became the focus of a debate on academic freedom that garnered worldwide attention, had been under review for circulating Internet material to his students that compared Israeli soldiers and Nazis.

The university’s verdict? Case closed and all charges dismissed. According to a letter from Executive Vice Chancellor Gene Lucas, “the [Charges] Committee did not find probable cause to undertake disciplinary action in this matter.”

Check www.dailynexus.com for a more in-depth look at the case in the coming days.

« Previous Entries Next Entries »