Jan

17

New UCM Chancellor Later Today!

It is 1 in the morning and I am still awake.

Among other reasons, one reason I am still awake is that I am extremely excited that later today the UC Board of Regents is going to consider hiring UC Merced’s New Chancellor! OMG!

Stay Tuned!

Jan

15

Dr. MLK Jr. Day

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This is a day to remember the words, memory and ideas of a great man. With his roaring “I Have a Dream Speech,” which I listen to for inspiration regularly, to his struggle to bring about social change to an inert system, Dr. King was a person who had great hope in an America that could be better than what it was and who had great conviction to bring about that better America.

Jan

12

ASUCM - The Next 18 Weeks, The Future

Filed Under UC Merced | Leave a Comment

After reading the opening chapter of Shaping the Network Society and a few blog articles about how blogs facilitate giving and receiving and the importance of fresh contest, I have decided to begin publishing emails that I send out to members of the UCM student government. It is time to move some student government discussions into the public sphere.

ASUCM:

It’s Monday, January 8, 2007. Our terms as members of the inaugural ASUCM end Friday, May 18, 2007. 18 weeks remain for us to do what we set out to do.

Personally, this will be my last semester in student government, capping off an 11-year career. I won’t get sentimental in this email; rather, I will save such feelings for the end of the semester. If you are lucky, you may see me shed a tear.

Know, that to me, when the next 18 weeks is all said and done, when it is time for us to depart and move on to the next things in life, I hope, no, I know, that will all shake hands, exchange hugs, shed tears, and reminisce of our times together; and be proud of what we have collectively created and of what we have collectively achieved.

Over the next 18 weeks, we need to collectively focus on and work towards accomplishing the following tasks:

> Write and approve Elections By-Laws

a. I would recommend the establishment of a joint committee, chaired by the Chief Justice and Advisor and comprised of Court Justices and disinterested Senators. This joint committee will be responsible for writing the Elections By-Laws, submitting the by-laws to the Senate for approval and signature of the President.

b. Timeline: This committee should complete it work no later than mid-February so as to ensure ample time for creation of the by-laws and digestion of the by-laws in preparation for the election later in the Spring.

> Write and approve Research Grants By-Laws by early in the semester so the ASUCM can provide undergraduate research grants this semester.

a. The ASUCM Director of Academic Affairs and Senate Standing Committee on Academic Affairs have already been meeting regularly throughout the fall semester. I would urge the group to continue their diligent work. My hope is that we can provide undergraduate research grants this semester, possibly directing some resources towards this year’s CORE 100 group projects.

> Establish and convene the Inter-Club Council by early February to establish a formal line of communication between the student governments and clubs and organizations.

a. The ASUCM Director of Student Activities is charged with this responsibility and I want to strongly, and publicly, urge this matter. It is critical that ASUCM communicate face-to-face with club/organization leaders about the ASUCM and in particular the budget. I want maximum input from club/organizations leaders regarding the 2007-2008 ASUCM Budget.

> Write, negotiate and approve ASUCM Budget 2007-2008

a. According to the ASUCM Constitution, the Treasurer and I, are responsible for creating an operating and submitting it to the Senate in the spring. It is spring, and the Senate will get a budget. Furthermore, the Budget and Finance By-Laws were approved last semester and delineate a specific budget schedule. We will try to follow the strict schedule as best as we can. But, as I mentioned earlier, I want maximum input on the budget and I will go out and actively seek it from everyone.

> Pass an ASUCM Fee Referendum; adamantly campaign for its approval so as to ensure that the ASUCM has the resources it needs to improve student life.

a. The ASUCM Fee Referendum will be the cornerstone of the 2007-2008 ASUCM Budget and the future of the ASUCM. Without increasing the ASUCM Fee from its current $10 per semester per student, this student government will remain impotent and unable to greatly improve student life. We need to have more resources to support clubs and organizations, undergraduate research, public service efforts, and invest in our future Student Center.

b. I will consult with Dr. Nies and Dr. Lawrence regarding what administrative procedures we need to follow. Such as having the fee reviewed/approved by the Student Fee Advisory Committee.

c. In conjunction with approval of the 2007-2008 ASUCM Budget, I will ask the Senate to approve the ASUCM Fee Referendum.

> Develop and approve the ASUCM Strategic Plan, formerly the Student Master Plan for UC Merced. The Strategic Plan will outline the ASUCM’s short and long term goals and vision for the future.

a. The future of the ASUCM is of the utmost importance. By planning for our future, we will be in a better position, to play the necessary pivotal, crucial role in the development of the university and region. A culture of greatness will overtake this university and propel it to be a premier public research institution. Our university, UC Merced, will not be “as good as” institutions like Berkeley and Harvard, our university we will be better because being the best is expected, because being the best is the only option.

> Establish the San Joaquin Valley Student Association to unite the 17 higher education institutions in the region and establish a strong, unified, respected student voice in the region and state.

a. The San Joaquin Valley is our home. Our home is plagued by some of the highest unemployment rates, lowest political participation rates, lowest college going rates, poorest air quality and worst access to healthcare in the state. As stewards of this region, as people concerned about the future, and as the only UC in the region, we need to bring together our fellow student leaders from throughout the region to discuss the major social, economic and environmental issues of the Valley, develop a college-going culture in the San Joaquin Valley and take action to solve the problems this region faces by informing and mobilizing students.

> Develop and launch our Global Advocacy Agenda.

a. The ASUCM Director of Student Advocacy is responsible for advocating the needs of students, on a campus to global level. Our world faces a number of challenges: climate change, war, genocide, and mass poverty. It is unacceptable for us to idly stand by as the official voice of the students and not advocate for change in the world. If we do not confront these and other matters now, in 20 years, when we have aged and ascended to greater leadership positions, we will be confronted again with a problem that has been exacerbated with the passage of time. I do not want to tell the up-and-coming generation, “My generation had an opportunity to solve the problem back when we were young, but didn’t.”

b. I would urge, publicly, that the said Director and Senate Standing Committee on Student Advocacy develop and launch the ASUCM Global Advocacy Agenda with clubs and organizations.

Some of you will undoubtedly seek re-election, some of you will certainly seek another or a higher office, and some of you will happily move on.

For me, the next 18 weeks will represent the pinnacle of my student government career; this is it for me ladies and gentlemen. All my energies, all my efforts, all my life will go into ensuring that we plant the foundation of the ASUCM and establish our tradition of greatness.

I more than look forward to the next 18 weeks; it’s going to be a ride that none of us will forget.

Sincerely,
Josh Franco
UC Merced
Student Body President

Jan

11

Governor’s Budget 2007-2008, UC and CSU Students Fees Increased

Filed Under California, Personal | Leave a Comment

Yesterday, the Governor released his 2007-2008 Budget.

For more information and to view the rest of the budget, visit http://govbud.dof.ca.gov/BudgetSummary/BSS/BSS.html.

Of particular interest is the Higher Education Budget. The Governor’s Budget includes fee increases for both UC and CSU students of 7% and 10%, respectively. In other words, if you are going to attend either UC or CSU starting fall 2007, you can expect to pay $400+ and $200+, respectively.

What can you do about this increase? Contact the Governor’s Office and your state legislator.

Jan

5

VLJ: The Future of Aviation

Filed Under Technology | Leave a Comment

Today, Eclipse Aviation sold it’s first “very light jet” or VLJ.

The cost for one of these is $1.5 million plus. Not for the faint of heart.

It is “predicted [that] the Eclipse 500 will change the way people travel, making it more affordable for small businesses or private owners to have aircraft and for air-taxi services to ferry passengers.

VLJs can land on runways as short as 3,000 feet, compared with the 4,000 or 5,000 feet required by the smallest jets now being flown. The FAA says there are more than 5,000 small, underused airports in the United States. The National Business Aviation Association defines VLJs as single-pilot jets that weigh 10,000 pounds or less.” (Yahoo! News)

Described as the future of avaition, time will tell whether this micro-jet can move people at an affordable price.

For more information, visit http://www.eclipseaviation.com/.

Jan

4

110th Congress: An Opportunity For You to Make a Difference

Filed Under Election 2006, United States | 1 Comment

Today, Members of the 110th Congress of the United States were sworn in for a two-year stint. Their goal, I would very much hope, is to change America and, by virtue, the world.

I believe anyone can change the world, whether a mother in Mexico or father in Japan, whether a farm worker in California or a CEO in New York, whether a miner in Kentucky or a teacher in Alaska, and whether you, me, or anyone else who is willing and inclined to do so.

The 110th Congress will forever go down in history as the first Congress to elect a woman Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. This should not be taken lightly.

The change the 110th Congress represents is unlike any change ever before experienced in American politics and this is just the beginning of a wave of change that the United States is going to experience. From demographic, economic, political, social and technological changes, the country and our world is rapidly evolving.

The next two years, and arguably the rest of your life, represents a prime opportunity for you to engage your federal representatives, to let them know what you think about a particular issue, whether local, national or global, and to help change America.

If you care about education, write or call your Congressional Representative and Senators.

If you care about military efforts overseas, write or call your Congressional Representative and Senators.

If you care about the environment, write or call your Congressional Representative and Senators.

If you care about your future, the future of America, and the future of this planet, then write or call your Congressional Representative and Senators.

And if you care not about anything, then find something to care about.

And remember, you have people representing you at the local, county, and state level too. Find them, contact them, and let them know what you think.

To Find Out Who Your Congressional Representative is visit http://www.house.gov/.

To Find Out Who Your Senators are visit http://www.senate.gov/.

Jan

1

RIF: California 2025: Taking on the Future

Filed Under California, Reading is Fundamental | Leave a Comment

The future is now.

In mid-2006, the Public Policy Institute of California published a report called “California 2025: Taking on the Future.” The 300+ page report is filled with information every Californian needs to know.

There is growing concern that rapid population growth and repeated budget shortfalls have brought California to a state of disrepair that could soon become a state of emergency. With support from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, PPIC undertook a study to see whether the state is facing a growth and infrastructure crisis, how big the problems are, and how to think about planning for the future. This report presents the findings of that study. It concludes that we haven’t reached a crisis—yet—but some trends and forces make it imperative to begin systematic, well-informed planning. Otherwise, the future California gets by default may not be the future residents want for themselves and their children.

I encourage you to download the full report or research brief and read it.

I read most of the report, but I lost my hard copy on a flight from Boston to San Francisco.

Jan

1

Happy New Year!

Filed Under Human Development, Personal | Leave a Comment

Greetings!

I write to wish happiness, peace and prosperity in 2007 and I hope that you accomplish whatever goals you set out to accomplish this year.

Let me know what your goals are for 2007.

Sincerely,
Josh Franco

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Jan

17