At last night’s Student Town Hall with the Chancellor, ASUC President Will Smelko introduced an evening of what was meant to be a “direct dialogue with our University administration.” The environment was tense and the crowd seemed eager to get answers. The speakers, including Chancellor Robert Birgeneau, began by making their statements regarding how the University of California has entered a 147 million dollar deficit since the budget was reassigned last May. The panelists discussed how the implementation of furloughs, cutting staff, and increasing the amount of out-of-state students would help prevent raising student fees.

While students were grateful that the administration took the time and the risk to address these issues, they left feeling just as uncomfortable and unsure about the financial situation as when they arrived. Students shared stories about living in an RV because university housing too expensive, how University Health Services are no longer a priority, and how minorities on campus are being particularly targeted in the financial cuts. Karen Hernandez, a second year student, felt that the panel was “indirect and very vague.” She felt that “the point is to have a dialogue” but that the panelists were “very political.”
Jordan Silver
BARE Reporter
GO STRIKE!!!
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