@CalBearsMom If you want to look at how Michigan is dealing with the problem (its state funding is down to 13%) just look at this year’s freshman class. More than 50% are out of state. The University and its Regents are “incredibly relaxed” about this as the state has long acknowledged that it cannot meet the university’s budgetary requirements. The difference between California and Michigan is that Michigan voters and legislators have decided to face reality. They have prioritized having a world-class university over populism. That’s also why Michigan’s endowment has grown substantially and its physical plant has been renewed. UC will decline as exceptionally talented OOS state students will look elsewhere.
The situation in Michigan is different because the general population is poorer and there are far fewer college -age students.
Berkeley can absolutely remain world class by recruiting 75-80% in state and limiting oos/international merit aid to a dozen superstars (think of a Robertson -styke scholarship competition ) but only if the state takes on its financial responsibilities. It should simply go back to 2007 per-student funding, something the CA economy can withstand. It’s a political choice and only voters can make it heard. If the funding doesn’t come from the state it’ll have to comebfrom elsewhere.
There is a reason 35% of incoming class at Berkeley was OOS. They need these students to maintain ratings, vibrancy, academic standards and budgets. 80% in state is the wrong ratio with the UCs being starved for funding anyways.
Very interesting reading this thread. I never really considered this specific issue as my children have applied to many schools over the last few years. We are out of state, and I have a son right now that thinks Berkeley may be his top 1 or 2 choice for engineering. Makes me want to look into the financial par of things a lot closer. Not that I expect any financial aid, but I am concerned about the university as a whole, and ‘tarnishing the brand’ was a good phrase.
@MYOS1634 I’m afraid that Cal and the entire UC system has already slipped significantly, even if people in California refuse to acknowledge that. Time was when Michigan and UVA were lower ranked than Cal but no longer. Michigan has an international student body and faculty, a budget surplus, and the largest alumni network in the world. Cal is going in the opposite direction. Sadly, there is no sign of a change.
Hey guys! I recently heard about the financial problems UC Berkeley has been facing. But I’ve still not understood how it would affect me, as a student. Can anyone throw light on this?
PS: I’m an international student (Indian) who got accepted into UCB, and am strongly considering it. Hence, was curious to know what I’m getting myself into.
The most obvious sign of the cutbacks are reduced course offerings, larger classes and “deferred maintenance”. In most subject, you won’t notice this that much. But the days of splurging are over. And all financial aid for non-Californians has been eliminated.
@excanuck99 What would you mean by deferred maintenance and days of splurging?
Deferred maintenance means the buildings are not repaired, repainted or renovated as often. Splurging means they are no longer adding lots of interesting new courses, building fancy new buildings, etc. The university is in a period of austerity. Staff and faculty are being cut, budgets frozen and expenditure carefully managed. If you google “university of california budget crisis” or “UC Berkeley New Normal” you can find a lot of information.
“splurging” has been over at UCs for at least a dozen years. 
Yes, but I was referring to having libraries even buy books. That is now considered extravagant!
Didn’t you say you are a US citizen?
What does that have to do with the “new normal”?
Nothing - that’s not the issue. ITs simply that they said here they were international and that’s not consistent. Just asking.
I was quite surprised that Berkeley has a systemic budget issue. They went through cost cutting “Operational Excellence” measures back in 2009-10. Now we again have budget issues even when the economy has improved and California has maintained funding to UC (esp. through Prop 30).
The debt incurred for renovating Memorial Stadium is a huge issue - especially when the football product isn’t good enough to maintain the planned debt service through seat sales.
I’ve heard Berkeley again has bloated administration (growing faster recently vs. previous years).
Perhaps Berkeley should look at scaling back its Blue and Gold plan and Dreamer subsidies. Scale back the Global Campus ambition as well.
Napalitano said the issue isn’t the same across all UCs and is something systemic to Berkeley. Berkeley needs to right the ship again. One issue is Berkeley doesn’t have a medical school - and therefore doesn’t receive lucrative funding. UC should put UCSF back under Berkeley’s control and cut administrative costs.
Berkeley also needs to increase its alumni outreach and get better at attracting donations.
UC ranking will suffer over time due to the new standards at UCs. As a CA taxpayer I like to see funds to go to in state students, but recent adopting of other admission norms will bring rating down unavoidably. Many CA students don’t apply to California public colleges for this reason anymore.
@jym626 You can actually be a US citizen and an international student, i.e. attending an international school overseas. Lots of “dual country nationals” nowadays.