The College of Fine Arts will be incorporated into the new College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, meaning that many programs stand to get cut entirely.
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/local/110957.php
Some lawmakers have proposed that the property tax should be repealed, despite the $250 million dollars it would bring in for schools and public services. The Tucson Citizen agrees with Sallygradstudent: we shouldn't be giving back money we can't afford to lose. Corporate welfare or the services our state has promised us?
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/opinion/110868.php
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
The low down: An interview with GPSC president Stephen Bieda III
Stephen Bieda has been tirelessly fighting for our right to quality public education throughout these budget cuts. Right now it has come down to this: "Which fight do I pick?" Since October, the entire GPSC has been protesting, organizing and negotiating for themselves and their constituents, all in an effort to save our school. Stephen Bieda III took some time out of his extremely busy schedule to sit down and explain the current news on the budget negotiations to Sallygradstudent. Here is the information he provided:
Proposed Fees: Graduate college: $1,000, Technology: $215, Library: $95, and some course-specific fees.
Proposed Fees: Graduate college: $1,000, Technology: $215, Library: $95, and some course-specific fees.
GPSC has appealed to Dean Comrie to have the $1,000 graduate college fee covered by GAT or RA tuition remissions. Dean Comrie has written to Pres. Shelton in favor of this support, but Pres. Shelton is reluctant to approve it.
Pres. Shelton has stated that for every $20 million cut by the state, $1,000 in additional fees are needed to keep the university running. In the best case scenario, we are looking at $50 million in state cuts for the 2010 fiscal year. That comes out to $2,500 in fees per year, per student. If you are a GAT or GRA making $18,000/year (many earn less) then this would equivalent to an almost 14% pay cut. Projected maximum cuts from the state are $155 million, meaning $7,750 in resulting fees. If these fees were not covered by the GAT and GRA remissions, they would amount about 41.6%.
Keep in mind that only 40% of graduate students at U of A have GAT or GRA positions. According to Bieda, the average graduate student at U of A graduates with $38,000 in debt (increasing 7% per year for inflation). With the loss of faculty, the hiring freeze and fewer opportunities for research and innovation, we have to ask ourselves: will our degrees be valuable enough to pay back this debt?
GPSC supports the increased fees for the library, which hasn't gotten a budget increase in 7 years, even to adjust for inflation. Sallygradstudent also supports the library fees, as long as they are spent on materials acquisition and maintenance, not laptops and presentation rooms.
The projected results of the upcoming cuts are:
- Dramatic tuition hikes for both undergraduate and graduate students. ABOR is currently looking into suspending its previous limit on next year's tuition increase.
- Pres. Shelton has stated that there "definitely" will be fewer TAs next year.
- The TA to student ratio will certainly increase. Pres. Shelton has publicly stated that he is not worried about TAs working 5 more hours a week (for which they will not be compensated).
- It has been proposed that Centennial Hall be used as a classroom. Centennial Hall seats 2,500 people.
- The University of Arizona may be forced to dissolve their Land Grant university status. Because the Land Grant commitment requires state support, and the state has withdrawn this support, this may release U of A's obligation to stay in the lower 1/3 of tuition at comparable universities.
195 FTE (full time equivalent) jobs were cut in 2008-9. 12% of those were faculty. There is also a hiring freeze in effect. For the next year we will lose a predicted 600 employees, including 180 FTEs for graduate students. These jobs will not be eliminated by taking back unfilled positions or through early retirement or attrition. These are real people actually working at the university today who will be laid off.
What can you do?
President Shelton will be attending the entire (2 hour) GPSC Meeting on April 8, 2009. Anyone can attend and comment or question during the call to audience. Because of the anticipated large turnout for this meeting, please e-mail the gpsc to get on the call to audience list ahead of time: gpsc@email.arizona.edu. You do not need to e-mail if you are just planning to attend.
Continue to check the GPSC for updates: http://www.gpsc.arizona.edu/
Write another angry letter to your elected (or appointed) representatives. How dare they violate this government's commitment to education?
Governor Jan Brewer: Telephone (602) 542-4331, Toll Free 1-(800) 253-0883, and it might not be a bad idea to mail an actual letter that can't be deleted without even being read (as some e-mails are rumored to have been):
Honorable Jan Brewer
1700 West Washington
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
and don't forget your legislators:
Cutting schools to fund businesses
New proposals spell welfare for certain businesses and even higher cuts for education.
Governor Brewer tells publicly-funded agencies to brace themselves for even more severe cuts:
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/local/110842.php
"The new directive to agencies comes as some Republican lawmakers bristle under criticism resulting from impacts of the previously approved cuts. Agencies have responded by laying off workers and cutting popular services ranging from child care subsidies to state parks. "
Meanwhile, some GOP leaders in our state seek to repeal property taxes that would bring in $250 million:
http://www.azstarnet.com/dailystar/281477.php
"Elizabeth Slaine, who teaches English at Tucson High Magnet School, said she sees the issue in a different light.
The revenue loss would mean less money for education, she said. And Arizona's economy won't improve unless there are people qualified to be in business. "
Particularly disconcerting about this article is Rep. Andy Biggs' response to his constitutents' concerns:
"The revenue loss would mean less money for education, she said. And Arizona's economy won't improve unless there are people qualified to be in business.
Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Gilbert, scoffed at that contention. "
As someone who has benefited from the public education system of Arizona (Rep. Biggs has a J.D. from U of A, an M.A. from ASU, and is working on a Ph.D. at ASU) his seemingly blatant disregard for the value of public education in our state is shocking. If business and education are not connected, as Rep. Biggs contends, then why has he taken full advantage of the public education afforded to him as a resident of Arizona? Perhaps Rep. Biggs feels that only the priviledged have a right to quality public education. Send him an e-mail and ask if this is the case: mailto:abiggs@azleg.gov
http://www.azleg.gov/MembersPage.asp?Member_ID=4&Legislature=49
Governor Brewer tells publicly-funded agencies to brace themselves for even more severe cuts:
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/local/110842.php
"The new directive to agencies comes as some Republican lawmakers bristle under criticism resulting from impacts of the previously approved cuts. Agencies have responded by laying off workers and cutting popular services ranging from child care subsidies to state parks. "
Meanwhile, some GOP leaders in our state seek to repeal property taxes that would bring in $250 million:
http://www.azstarnet.com/dailystar/281477.php
"Elizabeth Slaine, who teaches English at Tucson High Magnet School, said she sees the issue in a different light.
The revenue loss would mean less money for education, she said. And Arizona's economy won't improve unless there are people qualified to be in business. "
Particularly disconcerting about this article is Rep. Andy Biggs' response to his constitutents' concerns:
"The revenue loss would mean less money for education, she said. And Arizona's economy won't improve unless there are people qualified to be in business.
Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Gilbert, scoffed at that contention. "
As someone who has benefited from the public education system of Arizona (Rep. Biggs has a J.D. from U of A, an M.A. from ASU, and is working on a Ph.D. at ASU) his seemingly blatant disregard for the value of public education in our state is shocking. If business and education are not connected, as Rep. Biggs contends, then why has he taken full advantage of the public education afforded to him as a resident of Arizona? Perhaps Rep. Biggs feels that only the priviledged have a right to quality public education. Send him an e-mail and ask if this is the case: mailto:abiggs@azleg.gov
http://www.azleg.gov/MembersPage.asp?Member_ID=4&Legislature=49
Friday, February 20, 2009
Join the Sallygradstudent Facebook group
Show your support for public education in Arizona by joining our facebook group!
Gradstudents for Change in Arizona-Sallygradstudent.blogspot.com
More groups:
Gradstudents for Change in Arizona-Sallygradstudent.blogspot.com
More groups:
From Speak Up Now, Arizona
"Hi all,
There is a rally in support of public education this Tuesday (February 24) at the Capitol starting at 4:30pm. Please come and bring as many people with you as you possibly can! Is it being organized by a group of young, motivated high school students and they are trying to send a strong message to the legislature.
Here is the Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=48168292503
If you attend the rally (which I hope you will), please stop by the Speak Up Now booth and say hello. We'll have a camera set up so rally attendees can record a video message for all the wonderful legislators who want to cut public education funding.
Haroon"
If you're unable to attend the rally, take 5 minutes out of your day to call your legislators and let them know that you support the crowd gathered outside their building.
Appropriations committee:
John Kavanagh (Chair): (602) 926-5170
Andy Biggs (Vice Chair): (602) 926-4371
Russell Pearce (Chair): (602) 926-5760
Al Melvin (Vice Chair): (602) 926-4326
Governor Brewer: (602) 542-4331
Toll Free 1-(800) 253-0883
There is a rally in support of public education this Tuesday (February 24) at the Capitol starting at 4:30pm. Please come and bring as many people with you as you possibly can! Is it being organized by a group of young, motivated high school students and they are trying to send a strong message to the legislature.
Here is the Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=48168292503
If you attend the rally (which I hope you will), please stop by the Speak Up Now booth and say hello. We'll have a camera set up so rally attendees can record a video message for all the wonderful legislators who want to cut public education funding.
Haroon"
If you're unable to attend the rally, take 5 minutes out of your day to call your legislators and let them know that you support the crowd gathered outside their building.
Appropriations committee:
John Kavanagh (Chair): (602) 926-5170
Andy Biggs (Vice Chair): (602) 926-4371
Russell Pearce (Chair): (602) 926-5760
Al Melvin (Vice Chair): (602) 926-4326
Governor Brewer: (602) 542-4331
Toll Free 1-(800) 253-0883
Who's in your wallet?
Basically, it comes down to this:
- Facing even more budget cuts for 2010 (on top of the $57 million cut for 2009), the Arizona Board of Regents is considering raising tuition even more than it originally approved in FALL 09 (next semester).
"And if the universities were to ask for another increase, they may not be bound by a long-held standard that requires tuition at the universities to be in the bottom third when compared to peer institutions across the country. " http://www.azstarnet.com/dailystar/280980.php
- Fees of up to $1000 for things such as technology and libraries have been proposed. The advantage of fees (from the perspective of the administration) is that they do not require approval from ABOR and it's difficult to fight them. The disadvantage is that graduate students do not have fees paid by the tuition remission in their GAT and RA-ships. For a graduate student who makes $18,000 a year, a $1000 fee increase would be equivalent to a 5.5% pay cut.
- None of this goes to solving the increasing class sizes, increasing prices and the suffering K-12 education that might make our job even harder when these students come to college less prepared.
"If we can't get a hold on this soon, we're not only going to be driving away businesses from this state; we're going to be driving away families who might not want to come here." — Rep. Nancy Young Wright, D-Oro Valley"
"The universities took more cuts than any other state agency. This year, education was the No. 1 casualty. Next year, let us be your No. 1 antidote." — University of Arizona President Robert Shelton " http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/byauthor/280234
Want to see how the cuts are being accommodated at U of A? http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/related/280977
Thursday, February 19, 2009
From the Wildcat
Why spend money on education (something that we can all agree, tends to keep people out of prison) when you could spend it on jails and pump up the security industry?
This Daily Wildcat writer has a good point. Why are we 'investing' in jails?
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2009/02/19/Opinions/State.Needs.To.Reexamine.Priorities-3638101.shtml
This Daily Wildcat writer has a good point. Why are we 'investing' in jails?
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2009/02/19/Opinions/State.Needs.To.Reexamine.Priorities-3638101.shtml
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Good Idea: Bad Idea
Landscaping:
Nickolas Seibel (Arizona Daily Wildcat's Chief editor) suggests we pitch in and beautify our campus. Unfortunately, he doesn't take into account the overall cost of electricity, plant purchasing and water that it takes to keep U of A the green oasis surrounded by desert that it is. Rather than take this opportunity to suggest that U of A go sustainable (by xeroscaping, for example) he complains about the unwillingness of groups to pitch in and work.
This is just another example of well-intentioned ideas that simply will not work. Eye on the prize, people! A little brown grass and a few dry fountains are hardly worth complaining over when the U of A is closing whole departments and laying off hundreds of employees.
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2009/02/18/News/Lets-Bear.Down.For.Arizona-3635619.shtml
Student fees:
In a much better effort at criticism, this article questions the amount of fees students will be asked to pay. Keep in mind what the article does not mention: The library has suggested that it may need to raise fees by over $100 next year just to keep the doors open and books on the shelves. Unlike tuition, fees can be raised without the ABOR's approval, making them a tempting source of funding in this budget crisis. It's extremely important to remember, however, that unlike tuition, fees are out-of-pocket for graduate students, and are not covered by tuition reimbursement. Increased fees are equivalent to a pay cut if you're a GAT or RA.
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2009/02/18/Opinions/Editorial-3635592.shtml
Tax credits:
Education tax credits are one of the very few ways we can determine where our tax dollars are spent. These might also get the ax:
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/local/110355.php
Nickolas Seibel (Arizona Daily Wildcat's Chief editor) suggests we pitch in and beautify our campus. Unfortunately, he doesn't take into account the overall cost of electricity, plant purchasing and water that it takes to keep U of A the green oasis surrounded by desert that it is. Rather than take this opportunity to suggest that U of A go sustainable (by xeroscaping, for example) he complains about the unwillingness of groups to pitch in and work.
This is just another example of well-intentioned ideas that simply will not work. Eye on the prize, people! A little brown grass and a few dry fountains are hardly worth complaining over when the U of A is closing whole departments and laying off hundreds of employees.
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2009/02/18/News/Lets-Bear.Down.For.Arizona-3635619.shtml
Student fees:
In a much better effort at criticism, this article questions the amount of fees students will be asked to pay. Keep in mind what the article does not mention: The library has suggested that it may need to raise fees by over $100 next year just to keep the doors open and books on the shelves. Unlike tuition, fees can be raised without the ABOR's approval, making them a tempting source of funding in this budget crisis. It's extremely important to remember, however, that unlike tuition, fees are out-of-pocket for graduate students, and are not covered by tuition reimbursement. Increased fees are equivalent to a pay cut if you're a GAT or RA.
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2009/02/18/Opinions/Editorial-3635592.shtml
Tax credits:
Education tax credits are one of the very few ways we can determine where our tax dollars are spent. These might also get the ax:
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/local/110355.php
Monday, February 16, 2009
BUDGET PROTEST FEB. 26!
Why would you go to the rodeo when you could participate in our democratic process by protesting even MORE proposed budget cuts to education.
Do you care about Arizona? Do you care about your education and the future of our economy?
Rally for Public Education
Thursday, February 26
10am - 1pm
Arizona State Capitol
http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/280387.php
Do you care about Arizona? Do you care about your education and the future of our economy?
Rally for Public Education
Thursday, February 26
10am - 1pm
Arizona State Capitol
http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/280387.php
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Leadership = Collaboration
From "Wielding raw power isn't good leadership" by Prof. John J. Pedicone in the Daily Star:
"Legislative "leadership" responded to the outcry with a cavalier attitude and compared the process of elimination of services to going into a restaurant and looking at a menu. It was at that moment that a powerful statement was made that defined the character of those decision makers."
"Most of us felt a sense of powerlessness that was amplified by concerns about whether legislators would embrace leadership or simply use the power of the office to advance an ideological agenda."
http://www.azstarnet.com/opinion/280131.php
From the AZ Republic: "Don't Balance the Budget on the Backs of the Universities":
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/articles/2009/02/15/20090215sun1-15.html
We're willing to pay higher taxes for the good of the state:
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/articles/2009/02/15/20090215sunlets151.html
The Wildcat reports on Budget Hearings:
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2009/02/16/News/Education.Faces.Losses-3631561.shtml
"Legislative "leadership" responded to the outcry with a cavalier attitude and compared the process of elimination of services to going into a restaurant and looking at a menu. It was at that moment that a powerful statement was made that defined the character of those decision makers."
"Most of us felt a sense of powerlessness that was amplified by concerns about whether legislators would embrace leadership or simply use the power of the office to advance an ideological agenda."
http://www.azstarnet.com/opinion/280131.php
From the AZ Republic: "Don't Balance the Budget on the Backs of the Universities":
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/articles/2009/02/15/20090215sun1-15.html
We're willing to pay higher taxes for the good of the state:
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/articles/2009/02/15/20090215sunlets151.html
The Wildcat reports on Budget Hearings:
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2009/02/16/News/Education.Faces.Losses-3631561.shtml
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Common Sense
It's disappointing when Tommy Bruce seems to jump in front of a microphone at every available opportunity so that he can shout a curse word and then that is what sit onto the 6 o'clock news. Even more disappointing is how student government seems to have entirely missed the point of these budget cuts: we don't have money to waste anymore.
After heated debate and a temporarily dead-locked vote, ASUA approved $980 to spend on 'safety cards', which would have contact information that students could use in case they run into trouble while boozing and dancing it up south of the border this Spring Break.
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2009/02/12/News/Safety.Card.Money.Splits.Asua-3626781.shtml
Contrary to the members who supported this initiative, we would argue that these cards have the potential to create a sense of false hope and safety for students who are going to Mexico despite State department and U of A administrations' warnings.
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/local/110140.php
Wouldn't it be more prudent for ASUA to send an e-mail to every student on campus with the warning and then the phone numbers that would have been on the card? If you choose to travel anyway, you can print the numbers out and shove them in your wallet! Total price: $0.00
Get your act together, ASUA. We're trying to save our school.
After heated debate and a temporarily dead-locked vote, ASUA approved $980 to spend on 'safety cards', which would have contact information that students could use in case they run into trouble while boozing and dancing it up south of the border this Spring Break.
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2009/02/12/News/Safety.Card.Money.Splits.Asua-3626781.shtml
Contrary to the members who supported this initiative, we would argue that these cards have the potential to create a sense of false hope and safety for students who are going to Mexico despite State department and U of A administrations' warnings.
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/local/110140.php
Wouldn't it be more prudent for ASUA to send an e-mail to every student on campus with the warning and then the phone numbers that would have been on the card? If you choose to travel anyway, you can print the numbers out and shove them in your wallet! Total price: $0.00
Get your act together, ASUA. We're trying to save our school.
More reasons to contact your legislators
Cutting off the universities' funding wasn't enough for certain vengeful members of this state legislature, too focused on their anger at our former governor to see clearly into the future of Arizona. Here are some other major changes they want to make to our institutions. While we're distracted with our deepened poverty, these bills could sneak in the back door:
While you're calling your representatives and senators about the budget cuts, make sure to tell them how you feel about these bills:
Gun-toting students and teachers:
"H.B. 2607. Schools; Disruption; Interference; Concealed Firearms.
The intent of the bill is to allow a person with a valid permit to carry a concealed firearm on the property of an educational institution, which includes state universities."
If you're a graduate student teacher, you know why this bill is so dangerous. Have you ever had a heated discussion with a student over a grade, a disagreement, a course policy, or just had someone who was a little 'off' in your class? Consider that if you are an international student (forbidden by federal law from carrying a firearm at all), you could end up being the only one in your classroom NOT carrying a gun. Is it hard to imagine students carrying guns in their backpacks, and accidentally causing them to go off when dumping their bags on the floor when they enter class?
When this bill was originally proposed, the Tucson and U of A police came out against it strongly. It would mean that they could no longer respond to reports of someone carrying a gun until that person was actually threatening or firing with it. Pres. Shelton is also against it.
Exclusion of domestic partners from health benefits:
"S.B. 1174. State Employee Health Insurance; Coverage
This bill would define dependent so as to exclude domestic partners from obtaining either employee or retiree health insurance provided by the Department of Administration."
So many high-quality faculty live with domestic partners. This bill is only more encouragement to move to another state where the government interferes less in the personal lives of valued faculty and employees. Don't let us loose our excellent teachers because of bigotry.
Reversing Affirmative Action or anything like it:
"SCR 1031. Discrimination; Preferential Treatment; Prohibition.
A Senate Concurrent Resolution that would place on the ballot a prohibition of discrimination or preferential treatment on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin in the areas of public employment, public education, or public housing."
This would probably make it difficult to offer scholarships to minority students, develop programs specifically designed to retain minority students, and offer assistance to struggling students.
Are you as angry as we are? Write to your state legislature and tell them you won't stand for it.
Tell them you won't let them turn back the clock on Arizona by decades while demolishing education and any hope for its recovery. Tell them you don't want Arizona to be known for its ignorance and backwards policies. Good state policy and good education attract good employers. If Arizona wants to excel economically, it should not waste its time on punishing its own residents, but rather focus on how to make them better educated, more economically secure, and better informed.
Take a couple of minutes to look up your state legislator and tell her/him to vote against these ballot measures: http://www.azleg.gov/
On this page, you can get updates about these bills and some of the budget cuts:
https://www.email.arizona.edu/horde/services/go.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.externalrelations.arizona.edu%2Fgovernment_state_update.cfm
While you're calling your representatives and senators about the budget cuts, make sure to tell them how you feel about these bills:
Gun-toting students and teachers:
"H.B. 2607. Schools; Disruption; Interference; Concealed Firearms.
The intent of the bill is to allow a person with a valid permit to carry a concealed firearm on the property of an educational institution, which includes state universities."
If you're a graduate student teacher, you know why this bill is so dangerous. Have you ever had a heated discussion with a student over a grade, a disagreement, a course policy, or just had someone who was a little 'off' in your class? Consider that if you are an international student (forbidden by federal law from carrying a firearm at all), you could end up being the only one in your classroom NOT carrying a gun. Is it hard to imagine students carrying guns in their backpacks, and accidentally causing them to go off when dumping their bags on the floor when they enter class?
When this bill was originally proposed, the Tucson and U of A police came out against it strongly. It would mean that they could no longer respond to reports of someone carrying a gun until that person was actually threatening or firing with it. Pres. Shelton is also against it.
Exclusion of domestic partners from health benefits:
"S.B. 1174. State Employee Health Insurance; Coverage
This bill would define dependent so as to exclude domestic partners from obtaining either employee or retiree health insurance provided by the Department of Administration."
So many high-quality faculty live with domestic partners. This bill is only more encouragement to move to another state where the government interferes less in the personal lives of valued faculty and employees. Don't let us loose our excellent teachers because of bigotry.
Reversing Affirmative Action or anything like it:
"SCR 1031. Discrimination; Preferential Treatment; Prohibition.
A Senate Concurrent Resolution that would place on the ballot a prohibition of discrimination or preferential treatment on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin in the areas of public employment, public education, or public housing."
This would probably make it difficult to offer scholarships to minority students, develop programs specifically designed to retain minority students, and offer assistance to struggling students.
Are you as angry as we are? Write to your state legislature and tell them you won't stand for it.
Tell them you won't let them turn back the clock on Arizona by decades while demolishing education and any hope for its recovery. Tell them you don't want Arizona to be known for its ignorance and backwards policies. Good state policy and good education attract good employers. If Arizona wants to excel economically, it should not waste its time on punishing its own residents, but rather focus on how to make them better educated, more economically secure, and better informed.
Take a couple of minutes to look up your state legislator and tell her/him to vote against these ballot measures: http://www.azleg.gov/
On this page, you can get updates about these bills and some of the budget cuts:
https://www.email.arizona.edu/horde/services/go.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.externalrelations.arizona.edu%2Fgovernment_state_update.cfm
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Fresh Flower Freeze
Sallygradstudent suggested cutting back on landscaping costs last semester. Now the budget has been cut so far that the U of A is turning off fountains and is not going to keep re-planting the mall's grass.
It's about time!
http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/279889.php
It's about time!
http://www.azstarnet.com/metro/279889.php
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
The Game Isn't Over Yet
From the AP, in the Tucson Citizen. Arizona's budget cuts are making the national news:
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/breakingnews/109940.php
The Tucson Citizen won't let the GOP get away with decreasing revenue and then claiming that they can't pay the bills:
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/opinion/109879.php
Want to know how much you won't get paid next year? U of A releases its furlough FAQs:
http://www.hr.arizona.edu/furlough_faq
ASU tries to accommodate cuts without destroying its institution:
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2009/02/11/20090211asuadjusts0211.html
Check out the previous post on their budget cut page. It gives a complete list of the programs to be cut.
Let's not forget that new cuts are on the table for 2010. If we think it's bad now, it can certainly get worse.
As Jan Brewer tours AZ, looking for support from voters for her 2010 campaign, remind her that jobs and education in Arizona are important to you. Ask her why she rushed to sign a budget so that she could go to the Superbowl on time. Ask her why she wants to cut taxes and lay off tax collectors when AZ needs that money to pay its bills (something she claims to care about). http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/local/109955.php
How dare she visit a school after slashing our education funding only a few weeks ago?
Call her office and ask:
Telephone (602) 542-4331
Toll Free 1-(800) 253-0883
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/breakingnews/109940.php
The Tucson Citizen won't let the GOP get away with decreasing revenue and then claiming that they can't pay the bills:
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/opinion/109879.php
Want to know how much you won't get paid next year? U of A releases its furlough FAQs:
http://www.hr.arizona.edu/furlough_faq
ASU tries to accommodate cuts without destroying its institution:
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/news/articles/2009/02/11/20090211asuadjusts0211.html
Check out the previous post on their budget cut page. It gives a complete list of the programs to be cut.
Let's not forget that new cuts are on the table for 2010. If we think it's bad now, it can certainly get worse.
As Jan Brewer tours AZ, looking for support from voters for her 2010 campaign, remind her that jobs and education in Arizona are important to you. Ask her why she rushed to sign a budget so that she could go to the Superbowl on time. Ask her why she wants to cut taxes and lay off tax collectors when AZ needs that money to pay its bills (something she claims to care about). http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/local/109955.php
How dare she visit a school after slashing our education funding only a few weeks ago?
Call her office and ask:
Telephone (602) 542-4331
Toll Free 1-(800) 253-0883
ASU starts slashing programs
A complete list of the expected closures can be found at:
http://www.asu.edu/budgetcuts/
In addition, enrollment will be capped, applications will not be accepted as late and involuntary furloughs for employees have been announced.
http://www.asu.edu/budgetcuts/
In addition, enrollment will be capped, applications will not be accepted as late and involuntary furloughs for employees have been announced.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Most recent news
Here is a link to the Daily Wildcat article on the Budget Cut hearing last Thursday:
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2009/02/06/News/Budget.Hearing.In.Tucson-3617275.shtml
Other budget meetings will be held across the state, including one on the U of A campus. It will be essential that U of A students show up in large numbers not only to protest futher cuts (there is a huge amount of money on the table to be cut next year), but also to show support for the legislators who have been working so hard to save our state.
Check out this excellent Daily Star article on what, exactly, the budget cuts will mean for us locally: http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/279167.php
K-12 suffers, too: http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/frontpage/109527.php
Want to see what all this means for the U of A?: http://www.externalrelations.arizona.edu/government_state_update.cfm
(This happens to be a great resource for monitoring the cuts).
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2009/02/06/News/Budget.Hearing.In.Tucson-3617275.shtml
Other budget meetings will be held across the state, including one on the U of A campus. It will be essential that U of A students show up in large numbers not only to protest futher cuts (there is a huge amount of money on the table to be cut next year), but also to show support for the legislators who have been working so hard to save our state.
Check out this excellent Daily Star article on what, exactly, the budget cuts will mean for us locally: http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/279167.php
K-12 suffers, too: http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/frontpage/109527.php
Want to see what all this means for the U of A?: http://www.externalrelations.arizona.edu/government_state_update.cfm
(This happens to be a great resource for monitoring the cuts).
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
It's Not Over Yet....2010 budget still on the table
Legislative Democrats invite the public to a budget hearing in Tucson! (Come Express your opinions, suggestions or complaints!)
Members of the House and Senate Appropriations committees will be in attendance to hear citizens' concerns regarding the drastic cuts in the state budget.
When: Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Where: Amphitheater High School, Murphy Auditorium , 125 W. Yavapai, Tucson, Ariz.
Located just South of Prince off of Stone
For More Information, contact Jeanette: US +1 6029264477
or Senator Aboud's office
Members of the House and Senate Appropriations committees will be in attendance to hear citizens' concerns regarding the drastic cuts in the state budget.
When: Thursday, Feb. 5, 2009 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Where: Amphitheater High School, Murphy Auditorium , 125 W. Yavapai, Tucson, Ariz.
Located just South of Prince off of Stone
For More Information, contact Jeanette: US +1 6029264477
or Senator Aboud's office
Monday, February 2, 2009
Common sense is not dead- even if education is on its last legs
Thank God someone is still paying attention:
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/02/01/20090201transparency0202.html
The budget cut negotiations took place in the middle of the night, behind closed doors, and lawmakers didn't even think that it would be appropriate to clear their voicemail boxes or have people answering the phones so that concerned citizens could call and leave comments. Due to a self-imposed rushed deadline, some lawmakers were able to make it to the Superbowl. (Lucky them!)
Budget cuts passed (Daily Wildcat):
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2009/02/02/News/Brewer.Approves.Cutbacks-3607941.shtml
Business and education go hand-in-hand (AZ Star):
http://www.azstarnet.com/opinion/278189.php
More bad news for the libraries: raise student fees by $150/year or risk closures and even more cuts in acquisitions:
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2009/02/02/News/Closures.Loom.For.Ua.Libraries-3607944.shtml
Arizona sucks at teacher retention (duh):
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/02/01/20090201teachsurvey0202.html
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/02/01/20090201transparency0202.html
The budget cut negotiations took place in the middle of the night, behind closed doors, and lawmakers didn't even think that it would be appropriate to clear their voicemail boxes or have people answering the phones so that concerned citizens could call and leave comments. Due to a self-imposed rushed deadline, some lawmakers were able to make it to the Superbowl. (Lucky them!)
Budget cuts passed (Daily Wildcat):
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2009/02/02/News/Brewer.Approves.Cutbacks-3607941.shtml
Business and education go hand-in-hand (AZ Star):
http://www.azstarnet.com/opinion/278189.php
More bad news for the libraries: raise student fees by $150/year or risk closures and even more cuts in acquisitions:
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2009/02/02/News/Closures.Loom.For.Ua.Libraries-3607944.shtml
Arizona sucks at teacher retention (duh):
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2009/02/01/20090201teachsurvey0202.html
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