<p>The following is an excerpt from the e-mail I received yesterday from UCSC’s Chancellor Blumenthal from his presentation to the UC Regents:</p>
<p>". . .I spoke plainly about what we’ve lost at UCSC, and what we stand to lose in the face of the latest anticipated $30.9 million cut to our budget. </p>
<p>First, despite our desire to protect the academic mission of the campus during three difficult budget years, we have had to cut funding for 80 unfilled faculty positions, and we now face the likelihood of having to eliminate approximately 40 more. These cuts leave departments virtually unable to replace faculty who leave or retire, and several departments already have had to delay or consider suspending degree programs.</p>
<p>Teaching assistants have also been impacted: We’ve cut funding for 110 TAs to date and may have to withdraw funding for another 120. These cuts, combined with our inability to hire faculty, directly impact students by reducing the number of classes we can offer.</p>
<p>Finally, we already have eliminated or reduced more than 300 staff positions, and we face the likelihood of losing another 150. Vacant positions have been eliminated where possible, but many people have lost their jobs, and more will.</p>
<p>These are huge impacts for a campus of our size that is already thinly resourced. . ."</p>
<p>Pretty chilling, isn’t it? I would also research what cuts SSU is facing, including or perhaps especially Hutchins. The other thing is that fees WILL go up before you graduate, and with the State budget situation as it is, who can predict how much and the extent to which Cal Grants will be around. That $10K gap may grow. The other thing I wonder about is the price of UCSC’s dorms and meal plans: IIRC, they are in the nation’s Top 10 in price! Is this a profit center? Don’t get me wrong; when we visited UCSC the food appeared to be quite good, and dorms were nice, but not what I would call sumptuous.</p>
<p>UCSC actually only has about 15K students. It is EXTREMELY spread out and has no really central place (like Sproul Plaza at Cal) so it probably does not <em>feel</em> like a campus with a comparable number of students. To me, UCSC is the most beautiful campus ever – not for the buildings, but for the redwood trees. DD said it reminds her of summer camp. </p>
<p>Before you make your final decision, I hope you can visit all your top choices and really scrutinize you financial aid packages. Study their assumptions and requirements, like expected summer earnings, transportation allowance, etc. YMMV.</p>
<p>Best wishes! I hope you will post back this fall.</p>