News

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Analysis of State & Local Pensions Suggests Uncertainty About Status of Current Employees

Byuclafaculty

The Congressional Research Service recently issued a report on state and local public pensions. Among the issues addressed is what, if any, changes can be made for current employees. (The report states that benefits of already-retired employees have been seen as not subject to cutbacks but indicates that this concept is under challenge in some states.) There is no specific analysis of California although various states are referenced in the text. The report indicates that while in the private sector it is clear that already-accrued benefits cannot be taken away, employers can terminate plans going forward or reduce future accrual…

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Lonesome Travelers at UC?

Byuclafaculty

The governor just issued an executive order banning non-essential travel of state employees under his direct authority. UC is not under his direct authority but the order contains the following language: IT IS REQUESTED that other entities of State government not under my direct executive authority conduct an analysis to determine the discretionary nature of their travel in order to reduce unnecessary costs. The full order is at http://www.gov.ca.gov/news.php?id=17008 Exactly what UC will do in response is not known at this time. But you might assume UC travelers will be lonesome as fewer folks take trips:

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Physical Capital vs. Human Capital

Byuclafaculty

The LA Times today carries a story suggesting that not all major gifts in higher ed need to go to building new structures. Aid to students – which for UC and UCLA becomes more crucial as the sticker price of tuition rises – is an alternative. Any lessons for UCLA fundraising? Read on! Couple donates $110 million for USC undergraduate scholarships: John Mork, a USC alumnus and trustee who made a fortune in the oil industry, says the gift will ‘allow the very best kids to get a degree at USC, whether they can afford it or not.’ Buried in…

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The Economist Takes On California

Byuclafaculty

The Economist magazine – from which the photo on the left derives – offers its solution to California’s governance and budgetary woes this week. Basically, it says there is too much direct democracy – ballot initiatives, etc. A conference this evening at UCLA – on which yours truly is a panelist – is devoted to the Economist’s proposition (pun definitely intended!). See our earlier post for details at: http://uclafacultyassociation.blogspot.com/2011/04/andreas-kluth-of-economist-leads-ucla.html Links to the Economist’s California report are at http://www.economist.com/node/18586520 and http://www.economist.com/node/18563638

Are We About to Burst With Pride?

Byuclafaculty

Dean Judy Olian of the Anderson School circulated links to two articles (really three when you follow the links) on the thesis that the next bubble is higher ed. A sample: ..Like the housing bubble, the education bubble is about security and insurance against the future. Both whisper a seductive promise into the ears of worried Americans: Do this and you will be safe. The excesses of both were always excused by a core national belief that no matter what happens in the world, these were the best investments you could make. Housing prices would always go up, and you…

Long Road to Tenure at U of Michigan

Byuclafaculty

Inside Higher Ed is reporting today on a decision of the U of Michigan Regents to lengthen the period to tenure: 10 Years to Tenure at Michigan (excerpt): April 25, 2011, Dan Berrett Professors at the University of Michigan could face a possible wait of up to 10 years for tenure thanks to a new policy adopted Thursday by its Board of Regents — over the objections of faculty. The change to a university bylaw, as Michigan administrators are quick to point out, is not mandated. It gives schools and colleges at Michigan’s campuses the option to extend the maximum…

Yours Truly is Still Waiting

Byuclafaculty

The Contra Costa Times today is complaining that some public entities – but no UC- have not yet provided it with all of their salary data so it could publish them on its website. The article includes the following quote: “It’s insane, absolutely asinine” that some governments continue to balk at making compensation data readily public, said Tom Newton, executive director of the California Newspaper Publishers Association. Full article at http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/ci_17916681 As yours truly has done with the Orange County Register and the Sacramento Bee, I have posted a modest request on the Contra Costa Times website: While you’re waiting…

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Time Warp

Byuclafaculty

This is odd. UCLA produced a strategic plan dated January 6, 2010. In that report on page 10, it refers to a conference center. The word “residential” is not used and, of course, “hotel” is not used. The text on page 10 reads: Conference Center: A conference center at UCLA could serve three purposes: support academic programs by offering a convenient venue for scholarly programs and interaction, serve as a gateway for the Los Angeles Community into UCLA, and establish UCLA as a meeting point for international academic conferences and programs. We should conduct a feasibility study for a conference…

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Wake Up UCOP and Regents: The Governor Says There Is Still Time to Make Your Voice Heard

Byuclafaculty

Is there a budget deal in sight and does it include some kind of pension limit? Not yet – but the clock is ticking. UCOP and the Regents need to wake up and make their voice heard on behalf of UC, particularly on pensions, but also on the budget in general. See below. April 22: …(Governor Brown) said a budget deal remains elusive and could take several more weeks to reach. “We’re not at the point of, ‘OK, if you do this pension reform and A, B, C and D regulatory, you’ve got a deal,’ ” Brown told reporters after…