<p>Their message is clear: UC cuts = threat to California's already weak economy.</p>
<p>
[quote]
More than 300 of the nation's most noted scientists from all 10 University of California campuses have warned Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger that proposed cuts in the UC budget would endanger the future of science and technology in California and threaten the state's economy.</p>
<p>"Further cuts in the magnitude being contemplated in the latest round of budget proposals would undermine prospects for economic recovery and damage California's competitiveness for decades," the scientists said in a letter that was also circulated to 25 of the Legislature's most influential leaders.</p>
<p>The letter pointed out that California's productivity growth produced by technological innovation between 2002 and 2o11 - much of it stimulated by the achievements of UC scientists in medical and physical research - has been estimated at $5.2 billion and would create 100,000 new jobs. </p>
<p>"UC trains the highly skilled workforce that drives California's economy," the scientists said in the letter. They stressed that 85 percent of the state's biotech firms and 57 percent of the communications industry depend on holders of advanced degrees from UC for their creative workforces.</p>
<p>For example, the letter noted, founders of Intel, Apple, Sun Microsystems and MySpace all hold undergraduate or advanced UC degrees.
<p>California is in desperation mode as are many other states and of course, the unthinkable is now on the table. I have no qualms with what the UC scientists are saying but every other interest group is fighting cuts too.</p>
<p>Rather than just signing a letter of complaint about planned cuts, perhaps the “more than 300 of the nation’s most noted scientists” and those UC educated “founders of Intel, Apple, Sun Microsystems and MySpace” could use their collective educations and intellect to solve California’s $26 billion deficit problem.</p>
<p>I’m behind the scientists on this one. There is direct revenue benefit, even short-term, in UC budget investment. Much smaller, longer, more doubtful revenue benefit to some of the social programs which fund much less promising projects and citizens in the state of CA.</p>
<p>Yes, other interest groups may have equal legitimate claims, but some have a history of greater fiscal benefit to the state than others.</p>
<p>Many state and even some private universities endured similar cuts since 2000 and continue on without much damage. The UC received LARGE increases the last few years and now they have to give some back. They will survive and few of the profs who signed the letter will be anywhere else. Nobody is hiring.</p>
<p>Not really true. Even universities with hiring freezes (like the one I work for) is using this opportunity to snatch the best and the brightest from their competitors. Many of these guys can write their own ticket if they’re inclined.</p>
<p>I’m not saying give all the extra bucks (are there any?) to the UCs but they make some legitimate points.</p>
<p>Few will leave UCB or UCLA or UCSD to go to RinkyDink U for more money. And they have seen that even the ivy schools are now suspect and they might be no better off. We all know in the long run Cali will come back and money will flow again. I wonder how all those Wisconsin profs who jumped to Georgia, Cal, or Florida schools are feeling today seeing their budgets cut. Plus they would take a bath on their homes.</p>
<p>Not talking rinky-dink Us. Talking top 30 privates and top 30 publics. Yes, they may take a bath on their homes but homes in other, very nice, places are considerably cheaper. California will be a mess for a long time to come (thank you, initiatives) and some top UC profs will seek greener pastures. I’ve seen that kind of thing happen at other universities, and it’s not pretty. It doesn’t take many defectors to gut a department or research program. I hope California can figure things out to prevent that.</p>
<p>Everyone is replacable. Most of the older ones have their best work behind them and just manage the up and comers. These things just don’t change that much. If a $120,000 guy leaves you can hire 2 up and coming asst profs at $60K each and get them working day and night like the old guy used to. Most won’t leave anyway. Lots of talk but nobody leaves California for UNC unless they are ready to slow down and enjoy life. Just like all the Wisconsin profs that left for California back in the 70’s when they were already 55-60. They look good on the books but few do much groundbreaking work anymore.</p>
<p>“Most of the older ones have their best work behind them and just manage the up and comers. These things just don’t change that much. If a $120,000 guy leaves you can hire 2 up and coming asst profs at $60K each and get them working day and night like the old guy used to. Most won’t leave anyway. Lots of talk but nobody leaves California for UNC unless they are ready to slow down and enjoy life.”</p>
<p>barrons, you obviously have not heard of Lee Hood and what he’s done for the Seattle biotech community. Yes, his “best work” was probably already behind him when Bill Gates brought him here from CA in 1992, but his name still has a lot of clout in the scientific and investor communities.</p>
<p>^^Is Hood still making a dozen trips a year to Sweden to speak at seminars and symposia in the hope of somehow convincing the committee that he deserves a Nobel, or has he given up?</p>
<p>I have not been following the stories about him lately, but I would assume that with his ego he would continue his pursuit of the Prize until the bitter end Stockholm is a beautiful city, especially, if someone else pays for you meals and lodging.</p>
<p>He still seems to have a very solid grip on the investor community here in my neck of the woods.</p>
Stockholm is a beautiful city, especially, if someone else pays for you meals and lodging.</p>