February 2, 2009
 “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times; it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness…” And so begins one of the most memorable opening lines of any novel ever written. A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens, is set before and during the French Revolution, but the opening line still resonates today.
We are living through a dramatic age of change, a period in our country that will be discussed, documented and analyzed in the history books. Your children, grandchildren, and even your great-grandchildren, will probably ask you what it was like to live through the first years of the second millennium. When you relay the best of times, I’m sure you’ll mention the inauguration of Barack Obama, our first African-American president. But, at the same time, our global economic challenges have plunged us into the worst of times, with our nation’s economy in its most dismal state since the Great Depression. I will begin by addressing the economic challenges we face, and then talk about some things that give me hope.
UC Addresses the Challenging Economic Times
There is no way around it. These are tough economic times. According to the Urban Institute, the stock market lost 41 percent of its value between September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2008, wiping out nearly $2.8 trillion in assets in retirement accounts. People are losing their jobs, families are losing their homes, businesses are closing and government agencies are tightening their belts. Just as daunting, the recovery of our economy remains unpredictable and uncertain.
It is apparent that the University of California and UC San Diego have been significantly affected by the global recession. We’ve faced severe budget cuts. In response to the financial challenges, the UC Regents have taken steps to help the university weather the economic decline.
The Regents approved a plan to cut student enrollment at the University of California by 2,300 students for the 2009-2010 academic year. Due to the large number of applications from community college students, the number of transfer students enrolled will actually increase system-wide by 500 students. Graduate student enrollment will remain at the same level as last year. The Regents also approved a plan by President Yudof that freezes the salaries of 285 top administrators and implements significant restrictions to compensation for an expanded group of senior leadership. The plan will be in effect through the 2009-10 fiscal year.
We are all working diligently preserve our tradition of excellence. We’re reducing unnecessary expenditures to conserve resources. All UC campuses are limiting travel expenditures, equipment and other purchases. Severe restrictions are also in place limiting the ability to fill vacant employee positions. All of these actions, coupled with ongoing strategic reductions in budgets system-wide, are critical to the university's ability to withstand these financial difficulties.
Town Hall Meeting to Discuss Economic Challenges
I realize that in this time of uncertainty, many in our UC San Diego community have questions about our current fiscal and budgetary challenges, and the impact they will have on our campus. That’s why I’m hosting a campus-wide Town Hall meeting on Feb. 12 from 3-4 p.m. in the Student Services Center Multipurpose Room. I will share the most current information I have from the Office of the President and answer your questions to the best of my ability. We will film the Town Hall meeting and post it on UC San Diego’s home page and my Web site for those employees and students who cannot attend the event. It’s more important than ever that we keep the lines of communication open, and work together to ensure UC San Diego remains one of the best places in the nation to learn and work.
We Are All Witnesses to History
And now I’d like to talk about what gives me hope. Our country elected its first African-American president, Barack Obama, and he was sworn into office on Jan. 20, 2009. It was a very special day, and I feel fortunate that our staff, faculty and students had the opportunity to be together on campus to witness the inauguration. I watched the historic events unfold with hundreds of people, mostly students, at The Loft. I was amazed that despite the large crowd, the room remained relatively quiet during the ceremony, with everyone focused on the big screen. And I was struck by the unity and excitement among those who viewed the inauguration at The Loft. This truly is an exciting time for our country.
And, in a move that could funnel more federal spending into education, science and technology, and many other areas, the new administration and Congress are negotiating an Economic Stimulus Package that would renew our country’s commitment to innovation. I’ve always maintained that an investment in education and science is an investment in our future. Our students are tomorrow’s leaders, the highly skilled innovators who are needed to effectively address our global challenges. We will continue to follow the developments of the stimulus package and communicate the importance of this type of investment.
Join Us to Recognize Black History Month
The inauguration of our first African-American president makes this year’s celebration of Black History Month even more meaningful and inspiring. One of the events during our month-long observance is a film screening that compares and contrasts the lives of Barack Obama and Curtis Jackson, also known as 50 Cent, and how they’ve become role models. Other events include a cooking class and sampling of African cuisine, a poetry reading, a dance and drumming workshop, a jazz concert, and an exhibit at the UCSD Arts Library on the history of La Jolla’s Black community. For a full calendar of events, click here.
Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
I was honored once again to be a part of the annual Martin Luther King Jr. parade in downtown San Diego. More than 500 UC San Diego staff, students, faculty and alumni marched together, as we have for many years, but this year our participation was especially stirring and uniting. When I reflect back on Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech—in particular when he said, “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character”— I am proud to see the social and political progression of our country. Although we’re still evolving as a society and there is still work to be done, I have to believe Dr. King’s dream was realized with the inauguration of President Barack Obama.
It truly is the best of times and the worst of times. We are witnesses to history and we are participants as well. Right now, the decisions that are being made, and the decisions we ourselves are making, will shape our future. So thank you for the decisions you make every day that support this university.
With warm regards,
Marye Anne Fox
Chancellor |
