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Greetings from Jeff Elman, Dean

In this issue, we profile Professor James Fowler. James' expertise is in social networks and the impact they have on our lives. His recent book, Connected: The Surprising Power of Our Social Networks, has received tremendous attention from both the academic and public press and excited great interest. Some of you may also have seen him on "The Colbert Report" (Comedy Central) in January, where he talked about his discovery of the "Colbert bump": a phenomenon where a political candidate's polling numbers increase following an appearance on Colbert, regardless of the reason. His appearance can be seen here. We are delighted to have his outstanding talents to share with you.

UC San Diego Budget Update

It is clear that the current crisis of funding for UC San Diego will be a defining moment for the university and all of the people dedicated to our advancement. Like so many across the country and the world, UCSD has taken a direct hit from the crisis and will continue to struggle even as recovery takes hold.

One major source of the problem is the depletion of funding from the state of California. Over years of prosperity, the priorities of our state's leaders have strayed to the point that funding for prisons easily exceeded that of higher education. In the 2009-10 budget year, 9.7% of California's general fund was spent on prisons while 5.9% was spent on the UC and CSU systems.

Although less than 10 percent of UCSD's budget comes from the state of California (the rest comes from research grants, contracts and private gifts), that percentage is absolutely critical as it pays for core services such as classrooms and faculty. In 2009-10, UC San Diego was subject to steep budget cuts that challenge our ability to deliver the quality of education for current students and the caliber of research/academia that we have come to expect of ourselves.

We are now faced with significant additional cuts in the 2010-11 year. These reductions will require dramatic changes and a makeover for UCSD that no alumni would ever want to see. Imagine major services being cut like RIMAC or the parking shuttles, faculty and staff cuts of 20%, or entire departments being disbanded. These are challenges that will affect more than our current student body; they will affect alumni, future students and their parents, and the communities we serve.

There are some silver linings. The Governor's proposed budget funding would lessen the funding cuts and help UC San Diego weather the storm. Your advocacy for maintaining this funding with state representatives can make a difference. If ever there was a need for a cohesive voice from UC alumni and supporters, this is that time.

The crisis also presents opportunities, for out of the midst of catastrophe comes the willingness to make significant changes. UC San Diego was founded in an entrepreneurial spirit that made fearless calculations on areas of research and instruction that drove the next 10, 25, and 50 years of American society, science, and business. Through this process, and on the cusp of our 50th anniversary, UC San Diego must re-define itself again and make similar fearless calculations about the future of America and the world. By working together — from students, alumni, faculty, and staff — and by focusing our energies on core areas of expertise, we can create a UCSD of Tomorrow with new opportunities that will change our disciplines and benefit society.


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