Voters on Nov. 6 passed Proposition 30, which will temporarily increase taxes on sales and high-income earners in California to provide an additional $6 billion annually for education.

At Chancellor Blumenthal’s “State of the Campus” address, he discussed UCSC’s academic achievements, its ties to the surrounding community and its uncertain financial situation in the face of California’s cuts and Proposition 30.

On May 15, California State Senator Michael Rubio (D-Shafter) introduced Senate Constitutional Amendment (SCA) 22, a bill proposing an out-of-state UC enrollment cap of 10 percent. In an article in the Los Angeles Times, Rubio said out-of-state students will make up 23 percent of all new freshmen admitted to the UC this fall, up from 11 percent in 2009. We cannot let this continue.

California Common Sense investigates UC finances to assess whether the university can afford to maintain lower tuition fees. Their report was released last month and closely examines the potential to cut spending in UC management staff and construction.

Despite the drizzle and an escalated altercation with a vehicle, protesters turned out in force, and workshops were held at the March 1st Day of Action.

California Assembly speaker John Perez announced a billion dollar proposal that will cut UC and CSU tuition by two-thirds for students whose families earn less than $150,000.

The recession and financial crisis that began in 2007-2008 has forced many students to take on debt. After the effects of the recession have set-in, many students are left facing a diminishing job market with immense amounts of debt.

The University of California increased its offers of admission to out-of-state students for fall quarter of 2011, raising concerns over the shifting priorities in the UC system.