News

| | | | |

Will the UCLA Hotel Pass the Sniff Test in November?

Byuclafaculty

We noted in a blog posting yesterday that the UCLA proposal for a 250-room hotel/conference center is back on the Regents’ July agenda.  Also on the agenda is discussion of the recently-enacted state budget and the governor’s November tax initiative.  The Regents are likely to endorse the ballot initiative which, as prior posts have noted, is not polling as well as it should at this stage. So an interesting question for the Regents is whether the hotel passes the sniff test for wise spending of UC (and UCLA) resources.  Given all the fiscal difficulties UC has faced in recent years,…

| |

The 250-Room Whatchamacallit is Back on the Regents Agenda

Byuclafaculty

The Regents’ agenda for the July 17-19 meeting is now posted.  The UCLA hotel/conference center is back on the agenda as item GB2.  It is now called a “conference and guest center.”   UCLA still is in denial that a 250-room establishment is a hotel.  Perhaps it should be called a No-Tel in view of the denial.  The material the Regents will consider is not attached to the agenda in keeping with no tell; at least it is not attached as of 9:30 AM today but the link is: http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/regents/regmeet/jul12/gb.pdf Other items of interest: As expected, the proposal for tuition…

They’re back! The Return of the Banned Berkeley Farmers

Byuclafaculty

Remember the unwanted “farmers” who took over an agricultural research tract owned by UC-Berkeley – and were eventually evicted? You might have thought they issue was – well – dead, but they’re back.  From the Daily Cal: Members of Occupy the Farm broke into UC-owned research land in Albany Saturday morning in order to weed and harvest crops they planted during their three-week occupation of the land that ended in May.  The approximately 50 activists on hand at the land known as the Gill Tract were spurred to action by a scheduled harvest by the city of Albany to which…

|

Planning to Travel on Sunset Boulevard at Night Next Week? Think Again!

Byuclafaculty

The notice below was sent to some departments at UCLA by Facilities Management.  It provides a link to what would seem to be the source, but I found no such information there.  So I am assuming that the info below is correct: Closure of Sunset Boulevard between Veteran Avenue and Barrington Avenue and closure of Church Lane between Sepulveda Boulevard and Kiel Street. Closure of all I-405 on and off-ramps at Sunset Boulevard except for the southbound off-ramp, which will remain open with access to Sepulveda Boulevard only. Where: Sunset Boulevard at Church Lane/I-405 When: Monday, July 9th through Monday, July 16th….

| |

A Guide for the Perplexed Voter

Byuclafaculty

If you are wondering what statewide ballot propositions will be on the ballot in November, here is the complete list (below).  The numbering and ordering of the propositions has yet to occur.  The legislature passed a bill that would put the governor’s tax initiative as the first one.  That action is currently being litigated by Molly Munger, wealthy sponsor of a rival tax initiative.  The legislature removed a water bond from the November ballot that would otherwise have appeared.  In some cases below, yours truly has added some editorial comments in italics.  Text below is from the California Secretary of…

| |

Judge Calls Regents “Duplicitous” in Hannah Carter Japanese Garden Affair

Byuclafaculty

The Beverly Hills Courier is carrying an online story about a court proceeding related to the proposed sale by UCLA of the Hannah Carter Japanese Garden: (excerpt) Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Lisa Hart Cole today postponed judgment on the fate of the Hannah Carter Japanese Garden until July 27. Cole directed attorneys for the heirs of Hannah Carter, who filed a preliminary injunction opposing the sale of the Kyoto-style Garden on June 13, to prepare a supplemental five-page brief on whether the UC Regents are a government entity or a charitable trust. Cole said determining whether the University is a…

|

Steve Poizner and UCLA Extension in Joint Online Venture

Byuclafaculty

Many blog readers will remember Steve Poizner, the former California insurance commissioner who ran for the Republican nomination for governor unsuccessfully in 2010. The Wall St. Journal reports that he has a joint venture now with UCLA Extension to provide online education: A Silicon Valley entrepreneur and the University of California are combining ready-made software, rented Web services and Apple Inc.’s iPad tablet computer in a high-tech effort to bring career training to baby boomers looking to upgrade their skills. Empowered Careers last week began enrolling students in 10 certificate programs to be taught by instructors at the UCLA Extension, the…

| | | | |

Sacramento Pension Politics Could Open Door to UC Exemption

Byuclafaculty

Governor Brown has a 12-point pension plan for all public pensions in California that would override UC’s own pension solution.  The legislative leaders have a different view on pensions than the governor but they also have shown no sign of being willing to exempt UC so far. However, while the governor and the legislature tussle over the pension issue, voters have imposed pension changes in local elections, notably in San Diego and San Jose.  The governor has indicated that public sector unions should agree to his plan or they will get worse from local voters.  It appears that Senate leader…

| | |

Poll Shows Narrow (Maybe Too Narrow) Support for Governor’s Tax Initiative

Byuclafaculty

Above is an excerpt from a Field Poll released today that indicates 54% support for the governor’s tax initiative.  The Munger initiative (a different tax increase for schools) and the Steyer tax initiative (close corporate loophole) are losing.  Although 54% is sufficient to pass an initiative, the campaign pro and con has yet to begin.  Folk wisdom is that a controversial initiative should start with at least 60% support since some support will erode as the anti-initiative campaign develops.  So 54% at this time may not be enough in November.  If the initiative doesn’t pass, there will be trigger cuts…