California Legislative Control over University of California Amendment (2016)
| California Lottery Proceeds for Scholarships Amendment | |
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| Type | legislatively referred constitutional amendment |
| Topic | Education |
The California Legislative Control over University of California Amendment (Senate Constitutional Amendment 1) was not put on the June 7, 2016, or November 8, 2016, ballot in California as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment.
The measure, upon voter approval, would subject the University of California and the Regents of the University of California to legislative control as may be provided by statute.[1]
Furthermore, the amendment would require the university to focus recruitment efforts on the enrollment of California residents.
Lastly, the measure would prohibit the legislature from restricting "academic freedom" or imposing "educational or curricular requirements on students." "Academic freedom" would be defined as "the freedom to discuss all relevant matters in the classroom, to explore all avenues of scholarship, research, and creative expression, and to speak or write without institutional discipline or restraint on matters of public concern as well as matters related to professional duties of faculty and staff and the functioning of the university."
Support
The amendment was introduced into the state senate by Sen. Ricardo Lara (D-33). He said, "At a time when access, affordability and diversity are in question, we should allow the public to have a direct say in how its public university system operates." Sen. Lara's office listed some problems as the reasons why he wants to increase legislative control over the university system, including an increase in admittance of out-of-state and international students, tuition increases and administrative salary increases.[2]
Opposition
Although the Regents of the University of California or UC President did not immediately take a position on SCA 1, UC Media Relations Director Steve Montiel said the amendment's goal is unclear. He elaborated, "If it’s about accountability, the University of California already is accountable in multiple ways, including regular reports to the legislature and administration, the presentation and approval of a budget every year and an annual accountability report, all of which are publicly accessible."[2]
Path to the ballot
- See also: Amending the California Constitution
A two-thirds vote is required in both chambers of the California Legislature to place the amendment on the ballot.
The timeline for Senate Constitutional Amendment 1 is:[3]
- December 4, 2014: Introduced into the California Senate
See also
Additional reading
Footnotes
- ↑ California Legislature, "Senate Constitutional Amendment 1, accessed December 5, 2014
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Daily Californian, "State senator proposes to amend constitution, increase legislative control over UC," December 4, 2014
- ↑ California Legislature, "Senate Constitutional Amendment 1 History," accessed December 5, 2014
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