GSA passes resolution supporting UCSA lawsuit–
The Graduate Student Association unanimously passed a resolution supporting a lawsuit against Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Originally filed by the University of California Student Association, the suit contests the governor’s decision to immediately impose $148 million in budget cuts without approval from the state legislature.
The cuts included $100 million in education funding. Specific education programs affected by the cuts were UC outreach programs and the UC Labor Institute. The GSA is working to help restore funding for programs seriously affected by the cuts.
A rally sponsored by A.S. External Office will also be held at noon on Feb. 17 at Price Center to protest the cuts and to address the 40-percent tuition increase for graduate students.
Petitioners of the lawsuit argue that the governor violated state law when he lowered the Vehicle License Fee without enough money in the General Fund to offset decreases.
The GSA resolution addresses issues of access to education, the governor’s immediate cuts and the proposed fee increases for graduate and professional students. The resolution offers support to UCSA in the efforts to restore funding for outreach programs, higher education and efforts to mobilize students in protesting the cuts.
According to the resolution, the GSA recognizes “the importance of access to higher education” and that the K-12 outreach programs help provide access to underrepresented students.
The resolution also points out the fact that the state has increased prison spending by 204 percent since 1980, while higher education spending has only increased by one percent.
The UCSA is a student coalition representing 190,000 students in the University of California to the UC Board of Regents, the UC Office of the President, the state legislature and the state governor.
Passport Day will serve students, faculty, staff–
Passport agents from the Clairemont Community Service Center will be available at the International Center Lounge on Feb. 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to assist students, faculty and staff members who would like to get a United States passport. Applications for a passport can be downloaded at http://travel.state.gov. The applications, called DS-11, will also be available during the event.
Applicants must have a proof of citizenship and a driver’s license. Documents that will be accepted through the event include an original or a certified copy of a U.S. birth certificate or the original naturalization certificate.
Passport photos can also be taken during the event for a $5 fee.
Individuals who are 16 years old or older must pay a $55 application fee and a $30 processing fee.
Those who are 15 years old or younger must pay a $40 application fee as well as the $30 processing fee.
For more information, call the Service Center at (858) 581-4111, or visit the website at http://www.sandiego.gov/servicecenters/locations/clairemont.shtm. Information is also available at the Programs Abroad office at (858) 534-1123.
University of California records 439 patents in 2003–
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office reported that the University of California recorded 439 patents in 2003, becoming one of the leaders in the nation’s universities in developing patents.
The report includes a preliminary list of American universities receiving the most patents for invention for 2003. The final list is expected to come out in December.
UC research and development has been part of the state’s economic growth and, according to the UC Office of the President, has been a key factor in several clusters including biotechnology, telecommunications, information technology and electronics manufacturing.
In the biotechnology, one in six publicly traded firms nationwide was founded by UC scientists and 85 percent employ UC alumni. One in six firms in technology and networking was also founded by UC scientists and 57 percent employ UC alumni.
UC research is expected to grow through to 2011, which would add $5.2 billion and more than 114,000 jobs in California, according to the UCOP.
