It's certainly been a week of everything going to shit for Cal. Outside of the Big Game.

Ms. Stein is probably correct-- the spending by the GA is probably legal according to UCOP regulations. Hence the University allowing it, which I'm arguing isn't so much 'we're letting them spend this one,' as a beautiful piece of press management coupled with power politics. Allowing the spending with a stern reprimand and additional regulations is a superb way to disguise their really weak legal case to stop the spending.

But what isn't mentioned, and should be the next pressing concern, is the credit rating of the ASUC. There hasn't been enough mention of how, for all the torturous University struggles to avoid lawsuits, we are on the hook for some $28,000 of vendor spending. I'm not sure if they sue the ASUC or the individuals that promised them the money, but they have both the right and the means to sue. I'm surprised they haven't already. I wish I could share Mr. Kashmiri's confidence that all this will end in a complete victory for the students and ASUC.

GSIs are intending to strike. The University is promising that everything will be fine for students if they take off.

All final exams and class meetings will go forward as scheduled, but under extraordinary circumstances, regulations on “Pass/Not Pass” grades, alternative final exams and grading deadlines will be relaxed, campus officials said.

Be concerned! This could well lead to a massive bureaucratic morass and mixed up final grades. Should the strike continue past Finals, what is making the GSIs grade papers from last semester? I doubt they'll be under any legal or moral constraint to do so. And then who'll take care of them? Lecturers?

And we're getting boned by the State again, solidifying UC's role as whipping boy in the budget crisis. Email This Post!