Reading Response 1

I’m going to start off by saying that I am very bad at analyzing topics like this one where a lot of information is involved and there are several different claims of what the “truth” of the matter really is. The reason why I’ve never been very good at this is because it is extremely difficult for me to tell what is right and what is wrong. I have not done enough research on the budget cuts, the California Master Plan, or prop 13 to conclude how these three things have or have not contributed to the current situation at hand. For example, in the article “privatization and the UCs: The Basics”, it is mentioned that the “shift towards privatization began decades ago”. I could be completely off, but I feel this may be a little far-fetched. There are also claims that California’s spending habits have contributed more to the current budget crisis than the decrease in property taxes in 1978. I feel a little embarrassed for admitting that this is not one of my strengths, but I just wanted to be honest in case I say something completely inaccurate or ridiculous in regards to this topic.

After reading about the budget cuts, I definitely plan on doing more research on this subject. One thing I know is that in general, it has become much more difficult to attend college. Naturally, this saddens me. Regardless of the true cause of these fee increases and their possible justifications, I believe everyone has the right to receive a great education, and the fact that this has become so challenging for such a large amount of people who are beyond deserving and capable of a higher education is a huge indication that something is not right. In terms of the concept of a “hybrid university”, I’m not so sure that such a thing even exists. Can you really have a public university that is “privately supported”? It seems as if these so-called “private supporters” are the students who have had to pay increased fees. I think this term contradicts itself, and I think the usage of the term “hybrid university” is meant to convince people that the UCs are in fact still public schools, despite the fact that they are continuously shifting away from the initial principles and ideals they once strived upon. I do not like the direction the UCs are headed towards, and I hope the system turns itself around sooner rather than later.