A Crucial Year

By Jeff Shelton, Chair GSA, Davis

This will be a crucial year for the University. For too long the University has waited for Regan to go away so that it could return to the golden days of the early sixties when state funding seemed to expand endlessly. Well, the new Governor is not willing--at least at this time--to be generous. But, if the University's future is not as bright financially as it was hoped it time can be a time for constructive change. Although my initial impression for the new President is not overly positive, we need to make a special effort to influence his attitudes favorably toward student participation in the University governance process. We also have the first Student Regent in the University's history. Carol Moch can be a symbol for the importance and the effectiveness of student participation. But we must not default on our responsibilities to represent student interests. She cannot and should not assume the burden of articulating student needs to the Regents by herself.

I personally urge you to become involved in statewide affairs though the UC Student Body Presidents Council. For those of you unfamiliar with the Council's operation you should know that the SBPC is the govening board for perhaps the most highly respected and influential state lobby in the country. The UC Student Lobby was ranked the 12th most effective lobby in California last year. Besides serving as the goberning board for the Lobby, the SBPC represents both undergraduate and graduate students to University Hall and the Regents. With a new President, a new Governor, and the first Student Regent we have a special opprotunity to shape decisions that will move the University for many years to come.