April 1, 2008

Welcome back from spring break. We have much to celebrate this month — the life and accomplishments of Cesar E. Chavez, Earth Week and UC San Diego’s role in promoting a more sustainable future for our planet, and the 40th anniversary of Muir College. I’ll talk more about the fun and festivities in this letter, but first I’d like to address an issue that’s on the minds of many — the governor’s state budget proposal.

State Budget Concerns
As you many of you know, there is a lot of concern over the governor’s budget, which proposes cuts in University of California funding.  This would leave the UC system hundreds of millions short of the Regents’ request for next year’s budget.  The lack of funding could impact student services, faculty and staff salaries, and pressing program needs, which would in turn affect our economy and California’s future. 

I want you to know we are continuously communicating and working with our state legislators, reminding them of the return on investment that higher education and the University of California provide, such as educating a highly skilled work force, developing new technology, creating new jobs and businesses, and fostering long-term prosperity for our economy and California’s families.  UC contributes more than $14 billion in California economic activity.  For the past 12 years, UC has developed more patents than any other university in the nation.  Nearly 400,000 jobs in California are dependent on UC operations and more than 220,000 students benefit from a publicly supported education at UC each year.  The good news is that student enrollment will not be affected, at least this fall.  

Although we recognize the magnitude of the budget problem facing the state, it’s important for us to let our legislators know that cutting investments in higher education will only hinder the state’s financial recovery.  And we will continue to impress upon them the important role of the University of California. 

Cesar E. Chavez Month
One of the University of California’s top priorities is improving the diversity of our campuses.  This month, UC San Diego is celebrating the life and accomplishments of Cesar E. Chavez, one of America’s civil rights leaders, and I invite the entire community to join in the festivities for Cesar E. Chavez Month.  This year marks the 40th anniversary of Chavez’s fast in 1968.  He refused food for 25 days in order to promote the ideals of non-violence in the struggle for economic and social justice.  He fought for farm workers, human rights, and educational and economic opportunity for all.  To honor Chavez, UC San Diego will host an entire month of diverse activities such as a luncheon honoring local activists, documentary film screenings, poetry readings, and a town hall meeting on the status of Chicanos/as and Latinos/as at the university.  To view the calendar of events for UC San Diego’s celebration of Cesar Chavez Month, click here.

Earth Week
UC San Diego is a world leader in environment and sustainability initiatives, so every day is Earth Day at UC San Diego.  In fact, we believe Earth Day is so important that we’ve extended the celebration into Earth Week from April 21-25.  Our theme this year is “Choose to Change.”  Our weeklong series of events will highlight what the university is doing to build a more sustainable future and also raise awareness about what each of us can do to make a difference by taking action.  Activities will include a clean car show, student organization fair, garbage sort, tree planting and sustainable art exhibition.  We’ll also hand out sustainability awards to recognize individuals and groups for their efforts to make our campus more environmentally friendly.  In addition, Muir College is sponsoring an all-day conference on Thursday, April 24, to evaluate sustainability at UC San Diego — past, present and future.  And the week will wrap up with Muirstock, a concert and festival on Friday, April 25.  To see the entire calendar of events for UC San Diego’s Earth Week celebration, click here.

Celebrating 40 Years of Muir College
Muir College has a prominent role in Earth Week, as the college is named for John Muir, one of the first American environmentalists.  And this year the college is celebrating an important milestone — its 40th anniversary.  Founded in 1967, Muir was the second college established at UC San Diego.  The college’s namesake, John Muir, was a famed nature writer, environmentalist and founder of the Sierra Club.  In the spirit of Muir’s ideals, the college stresses the spirit of individual choice and responsibility, the importance of college as a close-knit supportive community, and the promotion of awareness and involvement in environmental issues and preservation.

To recognize its 40th anniversary, Muir College will host many events throughout the year, including a special celebration of John Muir Week, which is the same week as Earth Week.  Special events include an all campus and community birthday party on April 21 to celebrate John Muir’s birthday, a Muir Alumni Day and a reunion.  The college will also celebrate its architectural heritage with a presentation about the early history of the college, the campus plan and its signature Modernist architecture.  Last year, Muir College received a $100,000 Getty Foundation Campus Heritage Grant to develop a preservation plan for its unique ensemble of buildings.  To learn more, and to see a calendar of events, click here.

Online Chat with Students
Thanks again to all of the students who attended the Town Hall meeting in February.  I enjoy hearing from you directly, listening to your ideas, addressing your concerns and answering questions.  To continue the dialogue, I’ll host an hour-long online chat session with students from noon – 1 p.m. on April 16.  On the day of the chat, you can click here to connect to the online session.  I encourage you to participate, and also to sign up for my walk-in hours for students, staff and faculty by clicking here. 

Thank you for your feedback and your involvement with the campus.  I hope you’re able to attend one of the many campus events and celebrations happening this month.  I will be attending many myself, so if you see me, please stop by and say hello.

With warm regards,

Marye Anne Fox
Chancellor