UC Students, Leaders Unite in Sacramento

UC administration and student leaders forged a united front in Sacramento when they joined forces to press lawmakers to fully fund the university and student financial aid.

“The students were on point, passionate advocates for the university system,” UC President Mark Yudof said after a day of joint meetings with legislators that culminated in a discussion with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. “I think together with the chancellors and regents, we were a formidable team and made our case.”

The message for the March 1 advocacy day was to fund UC's budget, fully support Cal Grants to keep up with rising fees and reinvest in the state's Master Plan for Higher Education.

“We offer a unique perspective when students and regents are lobbying together to focus on the personal stories and the big picture,” said Jesse Cheng, the student regent-designate. Cheng said he wanted to help legislators see the connection between the decisions they make and how they affect the lives of students.

Leaders from the systemwide UC Student Association joined Yudof, UC Regents Russell Gould, Richard Blum and Monica Lozano and chancellors George Blumenthal (UC Santa Cruz), Michael Drake (UC Irvine), Linda Katehi (UC Davis), Timothy White (UC Riverside) and Henry Yang (UC Santa Barbara) in visiting lawmakers. Another 200 to 300 students took part in a march and rally at the Capitol to press for greater support and lower fees.

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