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UC Board of Regents rally behind Governor Brown’s Proposition 30 S a n dy V a n SENIOR STAFF WRITER
On July 18, the UC Board of Regents voted to endorse Governor Jerry Brown’s tax initiative and enact a temporary tuition freeze for the 2012-2013 academic year. The meeting, located at UCSF Mission Bay, saw demonstrations from students dressed as “debt zombies” to protest the deadening effects of rising tuition, where it was soon declared an unlawful assembly. The regents also sought alternative revenue sources to offset the projected budget deficits. The tuition freeze is contingent upon passage of Governor Brown’s Proposition 30, in which voters will decide to approve sales and income tax increases on Nov. 6. If the tax initiative fails, it will result in a $250 million mid-year “trigger cut,” leading to an expected rise of nearly $2,400 in annual tuition—a 20.3 percent increase. The need for funds may also result in further layoffs, course reductions and hiring freezes, as stated by the UC Newsroom. The state budget would have insufficient funds to proceed with a tuition buyout and therefore, lead to an additional shortfall of $15.4 million for the 2013-2014 academic year. “Governor Brown’s 2012-13 budget package, in tandem with his revenue initiative, contains an implicit deal for UC. It is an imperfect deal, and it is not without risks,” President Mark Yudof said. “Still, it is a better deal than we anticipated. And it is our best shot at taking an important step toward the financial stability that this university so desperately needs.” Sporting zombie attire and assorted cosmetics, student protesters rallied to the regents meeting with demands against tuition hikes,
Student protesters dressed as “debt zombies” attend the UC Board of Regents meeting on July 18.
privatization of higher education and neglect of adequate state funding. At one point, the “debt zombies” stood atop furniture and performed Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” according to the Daily Californian. After the police declared an “unlawful assembly,” protesters were soon escorted out. The Schools and Local Public Safety Protection Act of 2012, also known as Prop 30, would temporarily raise the California sales tax by one-quarter of a cent for four years and
49 new recommendations made for future UC campus protests
apply higher income taxes on those who make $250,000 or higher for seven years. Passage of Prop 30 translates to an estimated $8.5 billion of additional revenue for the state, as indicated by the California Legislative Analyst’s Office, and halts $6 billion trigger cuts to education. The UC system experienced a decrease in state funding totaling $900 million since the recession began in 2008. “Over that same period, UC’s costs have risen by $1.22 billion,” stated Nathan Brostrom, executive vice president for
Cristina Granados STAFF WRITER
In response to the 2011-2012 systemwide campus protests, University of California President Mark Yudof asked UC Vice President and General Counsel Charles Robinson and Berkeley Law Dean Christopher Edley Jr. for a finalized review of UC policies to demRECOMMENDATIONS CONT’D ON PAGE 7
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business operation. “[The university] has relied on tuition and fee increases to cover a third of the budget gap. The other two thirds have come from administrative efficiencies and cuts to academic programs.” “As costs continue to rise, UC’s budget shortfall in five years could grow to as much as $2.9 billion if revenues remain at current levels,” stated Brostrom, who elaborated that these projections have already take into account prePROP 30 CONTINUED ON PAGE 8
UCR alumnus Holmes charged with murder S a n dy V a n SENIOR STAFF WRITER
C o u rt e s y o f d a i ly c a l . o r g UC Vice President and General Counsel Charles Robinson (left) and Berkeley Law Dean Crhistopher Edley (right).
C o u rt e s y
UCR neuroscience alumnus James Eagan Holmes appeared in Arapahoe County Court last week, where his mental cognizance is being questioned in the case of what is being referred to as the “Colorado massacre.” Holmes, who originally identified himself as “The Joker,” is accused of murdering 12 people and injuring 59 others during the midnight screening of “The Dark Knight Rises,” at the Century 16 theater in Aurora, Colorado on July 20. Following one of the worst mass shootings in U.S. history, Holmes has been charged with 152 felony counts and if convicted, may face the death penalty or a minimum sentence of life in prison without parole. Currently
detained at the Arapahoe County Jail, Holmes is charged with 24 counts of first degree murder and 118 counts of attempted murder. Prosecutors are pursuing 10 additional charges, as revealed by a court case of register actions, yet the details remain undisclosed due to a court-issued gag order. An exact motive has yet to be determined and a preliminary trial is scheduled for Nov. 6. Recent focus surrounding Holmes’ notebook may play a key role in determining the mental stability of the suspected murderer. The notebook was allegedly mailed to his Colorado psychiatrist, Lynne Fenton, the day before the shooting occurred. Despite having portrayals of a violent assault, prosecutors halted efforts to obtain his writings as legal evidence, due to persistent delays in proceedings.
Arapahoe County District Judge William B. Sylvester also ruled that the notebook was restricted under patient-doctor confidentiality. The last session between Holmes and Fenton took place on June 11—more than a month before the shooting. “There’s a high degree of likelihood that whatever privilege exists in the notebook will end up being waived by the defendant,” stated Arapahoe District Attorney Rich Orman, with the assumption that Holmes’ attorneys will claim a mental illness defense. Defense attorneys assert that Holmes originally sought psychological help due to a phone call that Holmes made to Fenton just seven minutes before the shooting. Fenton was unavailable at the time and said she was HOLMES CONT’D ON PAGE 7
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Volume 61
Issue 01