Cutter W makes his move.

Not that anyone should be surprised, but Wally is now hellbent on killing the Daily Cal. The timing is impeccable: the Daily Cal has just ceased publication for Finals, insuring that no outrage could really erupt on the front page. The Daily Cal is having severe financial problems; talk of moving online completely or to a twice-weekly schedule has gone from whispers on the sixth floor to outright campus discussion. The DC will probably have to seek support from alumni, and even a minor increase in rent will smack them around.

They're also without any significant political support on campus. The Administration would rather they stay around, but knows their life would be easier without it. The new Senate, even in the unlikely event they fight for the DC, doesn't take office until September. If the Store Operations Board is to cut the lease, the time would be now.

Can't say at the moment what the SOB thinks of this proposal; I don't really know who serves on it. The comment

Board member Peter Buckland said the board will take measures to keep the "viability of the Daily Cal" and the forum it provides students alive.

is probably discouraging. It's tantamount to saying 'I'm already past the point of cutting their lease and am looking for ass-saving measures to not take heat from the Journalism establishment."

This is Wally's last battle. He's lost every one so far. His One Campus plan is a failure. His administration lost touch with students within minutes of taking office. And yet despite his failures he still somehow believes himself to be a Clinton-esque victim of media elitism. That the Students are still behind him. And that's the motive behind this power play: to avenge himself on those he believes were the reason for his failures. The symbolism is obvious. He evicts the unaccountable, elitist Daily Cal and gives poor student groups their place.

But in his blind pursuit of revenge, Wally has once again proven himself completely out of touch with students. Start with the whole nature of this enterprise; a sneaky plan thrown at the Store Operations Board without public comment. The Senate had no input. Students had no input. Expand that to the way no student groups were actually contacted about this plan. Shoot, I should repeat that: Wally's plan to 'help students' doesn't involve him asking what they want.

All that's left is what we've seen all year: egotism clad in 'helping students.' Revenge thinly disguised by ulterior motives. Do students want the space occupied by the Daily Cal? It's not impossible. Does Wally honestly care enough to find out? Of course not. This is about him.

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