UCSA recap – Jan. 9-10

The University of California Student Association, comprised of representatives from the UC student governments, held its monthly board meeting on Jan. 9 and 10 at UC San Diego.

• The board discussed the UC budget and how the UC’s budget request, with regard to what students require of the budget, compares to Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed budget, said UCSA president Kevin Sabo.
• More specifically, the board discussed the proposed enrollment growth that aims to accommodate more than 10,000 students over next few years, Sabo said. The board debated whether to support or oppose the enrollment increase and decided it is important for the UC to take in more students.
• Sabo said the board determined more students should have access to higher education and the UC system in general, despite what he called current crises including food and housing security, issues with how much time it takes to complete a degree and access to faculty. Sabo said cramming more students into the system would exacerbate these issues, and he thinks the UC will require additional funding to accommodate the influx of students.
• UCSA also discussed what kind of bills it plans to take an interest in during the coming year. The board may work with legislators to author a bill related to either mental health or sexual assault.
• The board decided it will lobby with the University of California Board of Regents this year, after deciding not to lobby with the regents last year to oppose the proposed tuition hikes.
• UCSA passed a resolution to condemn deportation rates because UCPD may begin to work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The board determined increases in deportation did not reflect the UC’s history of fighting for undocumented students.
• Sabo said he gave the board an update on the Student Advocacy, Governance and Engagement proposal, or SAGE proposal. Last quarter, Sabo visited 15 associations in nine weeks to discuss the proposal and told the board which organizations supported resolutions and which he planned to revisit. He updated the board on the organizations he planned to revisit.
• UCSA may hire a new executive director in February, so board members discussed expectations for this position, Sabo said.

Compiled by Meghan Hodges, Bruin reporter.