Students and staff members gathered for a town hall meeting at the Student Leadership Chambers on Feb. 13 for a discussion about issues on campus with Student Regent Dexter Ligot-Gordon, an undergraduate from UC Berkeley; other leaders from campus associations; and the administration.
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Panel members included A.S. President Jenn Brown, Graduate Student Association Chair Tom Fleming, Staff Association Chair Patty Arnett and Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Joseph Watson. Participants raised concerns ranging from the Classification of Race, Ethnicity and National Origin initiative; the Title IX Gender Equity statute; and issues about diversity at UCSD.
“”People were able to see both sides of the issues that the Board of Regents and the administration faces,”” said A.S. Executive Assistant Tracy Phillips, who coordinated the event.
The meeting was set up as an informal forum where participants engaged in discussions with the panel members. Audience members were also able to ask questions about how the different associations, the Board of Regents and the Office of the Chancellor of Student Affairs are responding to specific matters, such as the recent budget cuts. Many inquiries were specifically directed to Ligot-Gordon and Watson for their stances on the various issues that were raised.
One matter that Sixth College Council Chair Chris Sweteen brought up was the budget cut effects on outreach programs. According to Watson, though a decision is yet to be reached regarding specific cutbacks, priority is placed in redirecting resources to current students instead of outreach programs. Meanwhile, Ligot-Gordon stressed that the Board of Regents is going to lobby for outreach programs in the legislature.
“”Outreach is core to the UC,”” Ligot-Gordon said. “”Students are committed to the program, and now the university has to show its commitment.””
GSA Chair Fleming also expanded on the topic when he discussed the effects of research budget cuts on graduate students. According to Fleming, research establishments like the Scripps Institution of Oceanography are faced with the possibility of removing its specimen collection and a research vessel. Such cuts, according to Fleming, “”cause grad students to suffer”” because they have less opportunities in their studies.
Newly-appointed A.S. Commissioner of Academic Affairs Ernesto Martinez also brought concerns about diversity among faculty members and the student body. His comments prompted discussion about the university’s role in ensuring a diversified environment.
“”Representation within the faculty does require some improvements,”” Arnett said. “”That’s why it is necessary for information to be available to everyone regarding diversity.””
Ligot-Gordon also added that the root of the problem lies in an eligibility pool that does not include many ethnicities. He stressed the importance of expanding the notion of eligibility and using outreach programs “”as an underestimated tool”” in creating more diverse campuses. Other issues raised throughout the meeting included further comments about diversity and concerns regarding the effects of Title IX on sports teams if the proportionality clause is changed.
“”The town hall meeting gave people the opportunity to engage,”” Ligot-Gordon said. “”It is also one of the ways that I try to hold myself accountable to the students and to the campuses.””
UCSD is the sixth campus that Ligot-Gordon has visited for similar campus forums. According to Ligot-Gordon, one of the reasons for such meetings is for students to comment about the work he has done so far as a Regent and for more input on other issues that currently need to be addressed.
As the student regent for the 2002-03 school year, Ligot-Gordon is a full voting member of the Board of Regents and helps establish policies involving UC matters. Michael Murray, the 2003-04 student regent, will begin his term in July.
