UC Davis is now beginning to see the first rounds of cuts, which will eventually result in a universitywide budget decrease of $1.4 million for campus units. The Cross Cultural Center (CCC), Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Resource Center (LGBTRC) and Women’s Research and Resources Center (WRRC) will be the first to experience the 7 percent cuts. Budget reductions must come from somewhere, but it is important to recognize how vital these campus units are to students at UCD.
Back when budget cuts were being proposed, Chancellor Larry Vanderhoef told the campus the student experience would not be compromised. However, protecting Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at the expense of valuable ASUCD units such as CCC, LGBTRC and WRRC is questionable. This year, CAPS will have a net loss of $0 while the CCC will experience a net loss of $2,211, the WRRC a net loss of $8,750 and the LGBTRC a net loss of $996.
As a representative of the student population, ASUCD is voicing itsopinion to the administration. These units provide a community for thousands of students at UCD and are an integral part of the college experience. The WRRC provides resources and a knowledge base for women’s studies majors and sexual assault victims. In some cases, it may be easier for a woman who has been assaulted to seek the help of her peers and professionals through a community environment. Additionally, students who fear prejudice as a result of their sexual orientation may prefer looking to resources at the LGBTRC as an alternate to CAPS.
Most notable, however, is the budget cut to the Learning Resources Center, which will undergo a net loss of $109,545. Tutoring services will be decreased as will the amount of students per tutor. The LRC is an important part of the student learning experience – professors and teaching assistants in large classes refer their students for assistance in math, science, paper writing, ESL writing, etc. This resource is also an important way for first-year students to become situated with the learning expectations of a large university.
It is important that services at CAPS remain available and uncompromised. However, limiting the budget and thus the quality of these equally important resources is not beneficial to preserving or promoting student life. These centers are invaluable in creating a campus community and connection among students.XXX
