tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19138175.post-44595752439096605742007-11-15T09:01:00.000-08:002008-04-01T16:04:47.160-07:00The California Young Democrats have endorsed the YES on Proposition 92 campaign-the California Community College Initiative because for far too long the budget has been balanced on the backs of students and our community colleges have been shortchanged. The UC Regents and CSU Trustees are out of touch with average Californians, and more focused on raising salaries than ensuring every Californian has the opportunity to go to college.<br /><br />A <a title="http://www.ppic.org/main/pressrelease.asp?i=" href="http://www.ppic.org/main/pressrelease.asp?i=788">statewide survey released earlier this month</a> by the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) found that a strong majority (65%) of Californians say that many residents who are qualified don’t have the opportunity to attend college. California residents see college as essential but access elusive, costs rising, and the state system underfunded. Two-thirds of adults think that the cost of college prevents qualified, motivated students from pursuing higher education. <br /><br />The PPIC survey also found that over 70% of Californians say that the state’s economy will need a higher percentage of college-educated workers in 20 years. Overall, most residents give excellent or good ratings to the state’s community college system when it comes to training students for technical or vocational jobs (70%) and preparing students to transfer to four-year institutions (71%). It is important to note that two-thirds of all CSU graduates and one-third of all UC graduates began at community colleges.<br /><br /><a title="http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/education/20071110-9999-1n10uc.html" href="http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/education/20071110-9999-1n10uc.html">UC chancellors' pay could increase up to 17% in 2008</a> (11/10/07 By Eleanor Yang Su, San Diego Union-Tribune) “UC's proposal comes on the heels of California State University's decision in September to raise campus presidents' salaries by an average of 12 percent.”Claire Conlon, Executive Director CYDhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10325602229106613636noreply@blogger.com