<p>I am extremely paranoid about the deterioration of UCLA's reputation. The Daily Bruin released two articles stating that library hours will be cut to 5pm and the Arts Library will be eliminated. This is absolutely unacceptable. Students need to have a place to study at night, away from dorms, parties, and annoying neighbors. The Arts have struggled for years to stay afloat in the public school system. Now, the Arts Library has drowned by the hands of budget cuts. I fear that this is only the beginning of the end of UCLA's golden years. </p>
<p>What's everyone's view on the changes incurred by budget cuts? Do you worry for UCLA as I do?</p>
<p>Yes i worry. In fact I’m perfectly okay with a student fee hike to avoid further cuts. Hey what’s another student loan? I’m already paying a discounted price compared to privates.</p>
<p>However, I’m encouraged by the recent reports and forecasts of the economy which show improvement and the begging stages of stabilization. So hopefully within a year or two we will see some economic growth and UCLA can begin to stabilize and whatnot. If this is only a temporary issue like it ought to be, then UCLA’s reputation shouldn’t be tarnished.</p>
<p>UCLA isnt the ONLY once struggling you know. Lots of schools and organizations out there are cutting way more. Like nodnarb said, this should only last for another year or two.</p>
<p>I’m not an economics major, but I do know a few things. There are several factors that have me worried. California and UCLA will recover, but I fear they will not recover completely. There is an article pertaining to the death of UC Berkeley. Though the University of California-system wide- will not step down from the top public school system, the article suggest that it may not be able to be the power house it once was. </p>
<p>In response to “Arts are overrated anyways.” The Arts are part of a well rounded education. What would the world be like without music, architecture, paintings and artifacts? They are are extremely underrated and should be supported by UCLA. California and especially LA are art meccas. How can UCLA serve the people of California if it does not support those who wish to think with their brain’s right half instead of their left?</p>
<p>Yes I am worried. I know there is literally a close to zero chance of this happening, but I really think closing a few of the weaker UC’s would help so much in preserving the more prominent and prestigious ones. There was a thread about this somewhere else. Another good solution that probably won’t happen is cutting almost completely all the aid they give; if you want to go to UCLA or wherever, pay for it, and if you can’t afford it take out loans. I hate how going to a good university is viewed as a right to some people; it’s a privilege. </p>
<p>And I don’t mean to speak for others, but I think when people say things like it’s okay to cut the arts over other programs it’s because all of the really artistic people I know whether it be music, drawing, etc. didn’t learn it anywhere, it’s just something they were born with. I wish the library’s weren’t being closed or limited though.</p>
<p>^ I agree that reducing financial aid would be a good idea to save money IF loans were available. I do think higher education is more than a privilege but not quite a right, and i believe that because America needs more educated people. We’re screwed if all we produce are high school graduates. If loans are available to pay for college, then reduce/temporarily eliminate financial aid. This is certainly a big financial burden for people, but an education will pay itself over many times. And I’m a big financial aid recipient myself so I am willing to take a big hit to maintain high quality education.</p>
<p>As for the arts I don’t agree that they’re somehow unimportant compared to other fields (although I would go as far to say that if push-came-to-shove then sciences/math/engineering should be kept at the expense of the arts) because although most great artists are naturally artistic, many of us do not have the capacity to appreciate art and therefore its instruction is necessary. The art of storytelling is especially important, because people learn through stories. The Bible and many other Holy Books are full of stories and if you haven’t noticed billions of people believe in these stories so they have a profound effect. Even seeing movies can be a thought provoking experience. Stories are powerful. This art must be preserved, taught, and understood.</p>
<p>I’m going to graduate in a year, and I’m a little worried, but I would be far more concerned were I just entering as a freshman. I didn’t take a course I otherwise would have because sections were eliminated(probably due to budget cuts), and now with the libraries reducing hours I have to figure out where to study on weekends, which is something I didn’t think I would have had to worry about at a world class university like UCLA.</p>
<p>for those people who think the economy will recover in a year or two, you should really look into something called the “double dip”. Basically every serious recession has another drop a lil bit later. Most experts expect this to occur sometime in late 2010 or 2011. So don’t expect UCLA to be out of the woods for at least a few years.</p>
<p>Bobsonolis, terminating the lower UCs would only make problems worse. This would cause approximately 40 thousand top students to be without a university. As a result they would flood the already flooded top UCs, private universities, and CSUs. Also, unemployment rates would skyrocket in the surrounding areas. Even if they are just “weaker”-by comparison-UCs, they still serve a great purpose in giving California citizens an education and employment.</p>
<p>I do believe that the UC system will suffer in the long-run from these budget cuts. It’s undeniable that UC hasn’t suffered this much since Nixon. With Prop 13 still in effect it may take California an even longer time to re-accumulate its wealth. It is also quite possible that California might not be as prosperous as it once was; again, a large part of CA’s wealth was due to high property taxes. In the meantime, California’s public higher education will suffer greatly. </p>
<p>The questions I bring to you are: (1) Where will the money come from to help California get back on its feet? (2) Will it be enough to support our 10 campus system and maintain its long history of excellence? (3) Has UC spread itself to thin with too many campuses?</p>
You’re right, going to a good school SHOULD be a privilege, but a privilege awarded to those who work hard to get into the school, NOT those who are rich enough to afford it. It’s not easy or even SMART to take out 20-30k in loans for four years. Plus, if we did that, then the quality of education AND reputation of these schools would surely diminish… because instead of recruiting the best and brightest minds they could, they’d recruit the best minds of the rich. And they’d go to other schools with more aid, along with their accomplishments! Plus, this is AMERICA, we’re supposed to be a land where you can rise from your social class, not be prevented from doing so because you can’t afford to pay for an education you deserve.</p>
<p>California’s finances are a mess. It’s going to take more than an economic recovery from the current recession to change that.</p>
<p>I feel for all of you. Friends who are profs are equally upset. I don’t think the value of your degrees will be impacted, but college life will be. If anything, with the number of students cut, people will appreciate how hard it is to get in.</p>
<p>I agree with dissonance. You cut aid, then you cut off some of the brightest minds around the country who may not have come from the best/wealthiest families.</p>