A group tasked with finding ways to maintain and improve the quality of the University of California system, despite the state's fiscal crisis and waning financial support for education, issued a preliminary set of recommendations today.
The University of California Commission on the Future released a 150-page report outlining recommendations in five sub areas: size and shape of UC, education and curriculum, access and affordability, funding strategies, and research strategies.
State funding for the university system has declined by 54 percent during the past 19 years, and the school is facing a $1 billion funding gap over the next year.
"Without a renewed financial commitment from the state, the university must make hard choices about our programs and services," the report authors said.
Recommendations included improving system efficiency to help students graduate in three or four years; improve online education; expand part-time programs; establish financial aid eligibility for undocumented students; establish fixed rates for fee increases to avoid catching students off guard; improve administrative practices; and develop a grassroots advocacy campaign to foster political support for increased state funding.
Committee members emphasized that the UC system is a public good, so taxpayers should largely cover the costs instead of |
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