Feb 5, 2008 8:00 AM

Sound Bites

The state budget shortfall is a major concern for all of us. In trying to make up for a $417-million gap, UC regents are beginning to weigh priorities. What do you feel is UCLA's top priority that should be protected from budget cuts?

Ronni Sanlo, professor and director, UCLA Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Campus Resource Center

Priority must be given to encouraging student success with the programs and services that create supportive learning, working and teaching — helping students persist successfully to graduation while also maintaining physical and mental health. Mindful, intentional and strategic streamlining — which includes elimination of duplicate services, consolidation of services, serious review of outdated and hierarchical structures and the bolstering of programs and services that have documented student success — may be required, while respecting the integrity of people's lives and livelihoods. It's a tough concept that needs to be guided by both head and heart and many campus voices.

Nicholas J. Novello, loan services supervisor, UCLA Student Loan Services & Collections

With the university facing mass retirement of the Baby Boomer generation, we must continue to attract and retain a driven and talented workforce. In order to do this, the University of California must continue its pledge to make staff wages more competitive with private industry. To stall that plan would be shortsighted, as it would decrease morale and negate the strides made over the last several years. We undoubtedly need to do more with less, and investing our limited resources in the people of UC is the best way to ensure the university's future success.

Steven Kozel, pharmacy manager, Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center

We need to look at what our mission is and then make budget adjustments. We need to maintain our basic services — our needs — and consider adjusting our wants — projects and activities that we believe are important, but that could easily be deferred. We also need to build a budget reserve for a "rainy day." For example, perhaps we don't need the fanciest technology for our facilities; we can plan for it but not build it in. The bottom line is to maintain our present human and infrastructure resources so we are well-positioned to be competitive when our economic condition improves.

Mona AuYoung, graduate student, School of Public Health

Protect student fees from budget cuts. After increasing by 7% last year, another increase will price out many deserving students. It's a shame that the affluence in Westwood and Hollywood overshadows the lives of many students who scrape by with multiple jobs, loans, fellowships and anything else necessary to finish school. Students are the future leaders and also future donors to the university. By pushing students further into debt, UCLA risks losing their intellectual and monetary contributions. I have had the privilege of obtaining my undergraduate degree and my first full-time job from the UC system. I hope to finish my graduate studies here, but it just may not be affordable anymore.

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