Author: admin

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    Windfall $4+ billion in state receipts remains in state treasury through March

    Byadmin

    We have noted that over $4 billion beyond the governor’s budget estimates for the current fiscal year began showing up in the state treasury at around the time of the congressional fiscal cliff, etc., decision.  It appeared to come from upped withholding of state income taxes, perhaps from individuals taking capital gains at the end of 2012 to avoid possible tax hikes thereafter.  No one seems to know for sure but once the money arrived, it stayed, i.e., it didn’t seem to be some fluke of timing that subsequently reversed.  The latest state controller’s cash statement continues to show no…

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    Cap and Trade Cost to UCLA Estimated at $2-$3 Million Annually

    Byadmin

    The Daily Bruin produced the above graphic. We had previously noted these data in an earlier post. But the Bruin article adds the info that the annual cost to UCLA is estimated to be $2-$3 million. The article is at http://dailybruin.com/2013/04/09/uc-looks-to-reduce-carbon-emissions-comply-with-cap-and-trade-policies/. Our previous post noted that the main source of UCLA emissions is the campus power plant. See http://uclafacultyassociation.blogspot.com/2013/03/emisions-remissions.html.

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    Now You See It…

    Byadmin

    We previously posted about the recent lawsuit filed against the UCLA hotel project based on the university’s failure to pay taxes on its various existing hotel facilities, although non-UCLA usage is allowed.  Above, for example, is a screenshot of what yours truly found on the website of the UCLA Lake Arrowhead facility this morning [click on the image to enlarge]:http://www.lakearrowheadmeetings.com/contact/index.cfm The text reads:WHO CAN MEET AT THE UCLA LAKE ARROWHEAD CONFERENCE CENTER? Groups that meet at the Conference Center include Universities, Schools, Government Agencies, Hospitals, Private Companies, and Boards from all types of organizations and institutions.  A Learning Purpose is required…

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    California and U.S. Economic Forecast: Thursday, April 11

    Byadmin

    UCLA EMERITI ASSOCIATION: After lunch presentation UPDATE OF THE CALIFORNIA AND U.S. ECONOMIC FORECAST DANIEL J B MITCHELLProfessor-Emeritus, Anderson School of Management and Luskin School of Public Affairs      Thursday, April 11, 2013, 1:30 pm UCLA Faculty Center, Sequoia Room Audience questions will be taken after the presentation.Refreshments will be provided at 1:00 pm

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    Columnist asks about needs vs. wants

    Byadmin

    Note: In the future, there are likely to be more such questions – of the type excerpted below – about campus plans for new programs, schools, and even grand hotels. Dan Walters today in the Sacramento Bee: Was UC-Irvine’s Law School Strictly Necessary? Six years ago, yours truly wrote a column about a proposed law school at the University of California’s Irvine campus, suggesting that it was more about academic ego and Orange County boosterism than a shortage of lawyers. The column pointed out that the state already had 25 accredited law schools and the number of graduates taking the…

  • Regents Committee Met But Not Really

    Byadmin

    According to the Regents’ website, the Committee on Compensation met on April 5 but really didn’t.  The following notice excerpt explains it all:  Because the membership of the Committee to Advise the President on the Selection of a Chancellor of the Riverside campus includes five members of the Regents’ Committee on Compensation, there exists the potential for having present a quorum of this committee when the advisory committee meets. Although no business of the committee will be considered by the advisory committee, this notice of meeting is served in order to comply fully with pertinent open meeting laws… Full notice…

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    Westwood Tree Restoration Reported

    Byadmin

    According to the Westwood-Century City Patch, replacements for the trees removed from Westwood for sidewalk improvements are now being replanted. Apparently, the new trees will be in box-like containers to prevent the roots from upending sidewalk elements. The story is at http://centurycity.patch.com/articles/sidewalk-replacement-in-westwood-village-nearly-complete The box-like containers are described in a newsletter of the Westwood Village Improvement Assn. (of which UCLA is a member).  See:http://westwoodvillagedistrict.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Feb-Newsletter-email.pdf While we’re waiting for the new trees:[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XR7UuwKOTk?feature=player_detailpage]

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    Train to UCLA Will Take Time

    Byadmin

    If you are waiting to beat the traffic on the subway to reach UCLA, be prepared for a long wait.  The 9.4-mile transit project known as the Westside Subway Extension, the Measure R-approved connector from downtown Los Angeles to the Veterans Medical Center in West L.A., was rebranded by Metro as the Purple Line Extension… Construction on the second phase is scheduled to begin in 2019 and will bring a subway station to Wilshire Boulevard at Rodeo Drive by 2026. The third phase is set to begin in 2025 and will see stations built at UCLA in Westwood and the…

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    AAUP Reacts to Congressional Ban on Funds for Poli Sci

    Byadmin

    AAUP statement of April 4: The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) condemns recent congressional action to defund the political science program of the National Science Foundation. We believe that efforts by politicians to restrict research support for certain disciplines is misguided, and threatens the integrity of the rigorous scientific review process used by federal agencies to fund research that advances knowledge. The provision to defund the political science program was offered as an amendment by Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma to HR 933, the Continuing Appropriations Act to fund certain government agencies for the rest of the 2013 fiscal…

  • Lofchie Case Dismissed

    Byadmin

    Note: It always appeared to this non-legal observer that the Lofchie case was brought by the D.A. to pressure UCLA into some kind of settlement in another case involving a faculty member and a lab fire. At least, that explanation provides a rationale, albeit unjust.  Otherwise, it is hard to understand what rationale there was for the case. From the Daily Bruin: The (LA) district attorney case against UCLA political science professor Michael Lofchie, regarding a conflict of interest in the hiring of an employee, was dismissed last month after a judge ruled that University of California educators were exempt…