Gov. Gray Davis announced his proposed 2001-2002 budget last week, which would give the University of California a financial boost.

Under the proposed budget, the annual state allowance for the university would increase 6.3 percent to $3.4 billion allowing for the admission of an additional 5,700 students to be funded. The budget would also help maintain affordable tuition for students and their families, increased employee salaries, and aid in the proliferation of the university’s teaching, research and public programs to maintain their increasing excellence.

The budget constitutes the second wave of provisions made to create the California Institutes for Science and Innovation, one of which, the Institute for Internet and Telecommunications Technology, will be built at UCSD in partnership with UC Irvine.

In addition to these improvements, the budget will also allocate more support for UC graduate programs, summer instruction on certain campuses and greater student retention programs.

Prior to the creation, Davis had made it clear that a strong partnership between his administration and the university would be forged. The plan calls for an annual increase in financial support for the university.

Free workouts, rec classes offered to UCSD students

In an effort to help UCSD students stick to their New Year’s resolutions to get or stay healthy, UCSD Recreation has announced that it will offer three free classes to students.

This winter’s free classes are dance aerobics, which will take place from noon to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays at the Rec Conference Room, Kick Boxing, which will take place from noon to 1 p.m. on Thursdays in the Rec Conference Room, and Step Aerobics, which will take place from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the Main Gym.

All classes begin on Tuesday, Jan. 16. For more information about these or any other classes call (858) 534-4037.

The A.S. Council presents UCSD’s new club Ritmo

Ton Loc and DVC will perform at the opening of Club Ritmo, which will take place at 8:30 p.m. Friday at the stage in Porter’s Pub. Club Ritmo is a new nightclub presented by the A.S. Council. It is intended to make Friday nights on campus a little livelier. A student I.D. is required for free admission, and general admission is $8.

Preuss School accepting applications for sixth graders

UCSD’s Preuss School is currently accepting applications for sixth graders entering in fall 2001.

An information session will be held for parents who are interested in enrolling their students. The session will be held at 1 p.m. on Jan. 20 at the Preuss School campus.

In addition to the 100 open spaces for new sixth graders, the school also has a limited number of spots for students who will be entering the ninth grade this fall.

The admission would bring the school’s total enrollment to 516 students with plans to raise that number to 700 by the year 2003. The school also has plans to offer instruction to students from sixth to 12th grades as opposed to only offering instruction to students up to the 10th grade as it does now.

Volunteers needed for Eyes on the Elderly Program

The Volunteer Connection will hold an information session for those interested in participating in the Eyes on the Elderly Program.

The program will recruit UCSD students to interact with senior citizens at the Torrey Pines Convalescent Hospital.

Volunteers will spend one to two hours per week with an elderly individual engaging in such activities as calling out numbers for bingo or eating pizza.

The commitment to EOE is only quarterly and can be formatted to fit your schedule.

Applications can be picked up at the Volunteer Connection and must be returned by Jan. 19. For more information, call (858) 534-1414.

Student Foundation holds benefit for Preuss School

The UCSD Student Foundation is currently having a “”Change for Change”” college competition to benefit the Preuss School.

With UCSD students making donations and the UCSD Alumni Association matching contributions dollar for dollar up to $2,000, the Student Foundation is hoping to supply outdoor tables for Preuss students.

The college with the highest amount of donations will receive a free movie night and popcorn at the Price Center Theater. The competition will end and the winner will be announced on Feb. 2 at Spirit Night.

Money will be collected via bins passed around the residence halls which will then be deposited at RIMAC on Spirit Night before the winner is announced.