UC Budget Cuts Have Big Reprocussions

By Indu Sudhakar, Campus Representative, UC Davis

The budget cuts that the UC system has faced recently has forced many students to re-asses the value of their college education. Withteacher lay-offs, the demolition of significant majors, and 8% tuition hikes that financial aid can’t feasibly cover, many students are starting to leave the UC system. Institutions once considered part of California’s higher education system (that came with not-so-high-prices) are now becoming unattainable for many students.

So what is the school system doing to avert the budget crisis they’re facing? The UC system is starting to recruit more out-of-state students. From internet campaigns streaming to China, to budget money being spent to hold out-of-state career fairs in Boston, the UC system is hoping to garnish their failing budget with the extra money they will get from a hefty, out-of-state-tuitions.

As a student at UC Davis, I find it appalling how our school system is acting more like a business looking to generate profit than an educational institution trying to provide for its students. By enrolling more out-of-state students, both the UC system and out-of-state applicants are receiving a benefit, but what benefit do the in-state students who can’t afford this new cost of education receive?

With the UC’s recent budget crisis, many Californian students now have one less thing to gives them an “edge” to employers. While graduating from a respectable college with a decent GPA and remarkable extra-curriculars is already a challenge in and of itself, some students are being pushed out of a public institution completely, losing all of the above. These students who are now forced to attend cheaper institutions in California can find solace in less impressive state school, but they must make up for the loss in prestige doubly as much.

University life is getting increasingly competitive. With hard economic times for all, students hope to wow employers through sky high GPAs, impressive internships, and relevant volunteer work. The budget cuts in the UC system has many wondering though - how will those moving from a prestigious institution like UC Berkeley to a state school like Sacramento State partway through their education make up for their loss? What can they do to get on the level of the out-state students who are now taking their places as high-ranking, well-involved students at a respected institution?