Hundreds of top UC scientists slam planned cuts (brain drain from CA)

[lunatica]

Source: San Francisco Chronicle

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.
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"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.

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.

"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.


Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/07/08/MN6218KIRQ.DTL

[angstlessk]

1. CA with it's free if you are a resident universities...graduated the best and the brightest

now I recon they will just become legacy graduates...like boosh?

[lunatica]

2. UC is a huge resource of world class research and innovations in many disciplines

http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/research/welcome.html

UC Research: Solving Problems

The University of California’s research efforts have helped solve some of toughest problems facing the state, the nation and the world – everything from improving the water we drink and the air we breathe to life-saving advances in medicine and amazing technologies that help connect people, places and things around the globe.

The public rightly expects UC to make a difference through its wealth of knowledge, its resources for analysis and research, and its capacity for innovation. This is the hallmark of the University of California.

(snip)
National Science Foundation research funding to UC grew to a record $365 million in fiscal year 2003 and funds projects of particular importance to California. The 10-campus UC system consistently earns two to three times more NSF research support than any other university system.


UC researchers are making big news in nanotechnology -- the science of the very small. There are spaces in the world too small to be seen with even the most powerful optical microscopes
UCSF
The UC San Francisco Medical Center is one of five UC academic teaching hospitals that educate California’s next generation of medical personnel and serve a disproportionate number of the state’s poor. The unique blend of cutting-edge clinical research, treatment and advocacy at UCSF’s Comprehensive Cancer Center, make it one of the foremost research and treatment programs in the world.

[haele]

6. They aren't really free. Just cheaper.

It still costs anywhere from $20 - $100 a course unit - even for a resident - for any of the state universities, and you still have to pay for books and bennies if you need them. Parking on campus can go up to $90 a month, depending on where you are.
I looked into taking some courses at UCSD (at night) recently - at least $500 a semester for two classes, not counting books. And I'd be taking the bus to the college - I couldn't afford to add in the parking pass. If I wanted to take continuation courses (non-degree or certificate type courses), it could cost me anywhere from $200 - $2K a class.
On edit - when my dad went to UCLA and UC Berkley in the late 50's/early 60's,, he didn't pay for his units, but he did have to pay for books. And his GI bill (as a member of the CANG) ended up paying for his books and the other education-related expenses.
If I were a non-resident, I'd be looking at $100 - $500 for a standard three-unit course, not counting books. Not to mention what it costs to live on campus. But at least they include parking when you live on campus...

Haele

[angstlessk]

10. it USED to be free to residents..not books of course, but the cost of the education

sans room, board and books.

[jody]

3. Perhaps countries that send their students to CA for a low-cost, high-quality education should fund

CA universities with profits they make from manufacturing products for outsourced jobs from the U.S.

[Grinchie]

4. First No Child Left Behind, Now No Teacher Left Behind, because your fired.

Are they Unionized?

[Grinchie]

5. Take a look at the comments left on this story. ANTI-UNION AGITATION ALERT

It is clear that the Unions are in the crosshairs of the Republican Attack Dogs.

This is clear, because the article at no point mentions Unions in any respect. The Anti Union Republican megaphones don't even care if they have organized a Labor Union. All they see is that a group of UC Scientists took the time to gather in a organized fashoin to express their displeasure.

At the end of the article, again, the economy is blamed, causing the typical "My hands are tied" response from Swarzeneggers mouthpiece.

The Anti Union crowd is already well established in Hawaii, and is working extremely hard to demonize Unions.

I would like to ask that everyone pay close attention to this incipient wedge issue that seem to be gathering steam on the Blogs in preparation for a big frontal assault by the Republican Party, or Perhaps even the democratic corporatists.

[shanti]

7. oh yeah

take a look at the sacramento bee website comments sometime. they're even more virulent!

[madrchsod]

8. jesus h christ that would be a disaster for california and our nation

crippling the recovery of our nation by not funding the universities...oh well, there`s a war that is far more important than education.

[lunatica]

9. It's not just education, it's that they're world class research centers

They are where the scientists in medicine, science, astornomy, mathematics and literature learn their trades. Universities get billions of dollars in grants and pay graduate students to do major research. When they get their doctorates they're ready to lead in all and any of the disciplines.

Most people don't even think about the fact that Universities are where scientists get their PhDs and where they specialize in some aspect of science.

[madrchsod]

11. ya that`s what i meant...i can`t imagine the loss of those scientists

my niece is a graduate level micro biologist. she put her career on hold because of her family but she is going for her doctorate after her children are older. we cannot afford to lose our scientists...after all someone has to teach and do research to prove the world is older than 6000 yrs.