Cal Alumni Pride, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) alumni club of the University of California, Berkeley supports and promotes the interests of the University of California and its alumni, with an emphasis on issues and interests specific to the LGBT community. Click here to find out more about us.

In this issue:

• A Message from the Cal Alumni Pride Board
• Sacramento slashes UC funding
• Former SacBee editorial page editor speaks up for UC
• Texans eyeing Cal professors
• Join Cal Advocacy
• Cal ranked #1
• Horacio Franco to perform at I-House
• LGBT Alumni Facts and Trivia

A Message from the Cal Alumni Pride Board

Dear Cal Alumni Pride Member,

A big part of our mission is to keep you connected to UC Berkeley, and at times this means informing you of disheartening news. Just a few weeks ago the legislature passed and the Governor signed a budget that cut 20% from UC's budget. For 30 years, the state has been disinvesting in UC, but for the first time in its history lawmakers and the Governor have cut to the bone in a single budget cycle. We hope you will take a moment to learn about what this means for our alma mater and how you can voice your support for Cal to prevent this from happening in the future.

We'd also like to take this opportunity to commemorate the life of Mark Bingham, an openly gay Cal alumnus who died on September 11 on Flight 93.

On a less somber note, we have a few exciting events planned and a bit of good news to share below (spoiler: Cal was ranked the #1 public university for the 10th year in a row by US News & World Report).

As always, please don't hesitate to send your feedback and suggestions to info@calalumnipride.org.

Go Bears!

Your Cal Alumni Pride Board

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Sacramento slashes UC's funding by 20%

Just weeks ago, the Governor signed a budget that cut $2.8 billion from California's higher education budget. The University of California absorbed an $813 million cut for the fiscal year and UC Berkeley's share was nearly $150 million. As a result of the cuts to the UC system, the Regents were forced to raise student fees, campuses have had to reduce staff and cut salaries, and vital programs have been eliminated.

To learn more about the impacts of these cuts, click here.

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Former SacBee editorial page editor speaks up for UC

Peter Schrag, former Sacramento Bee editorial page editor and noted author who frequently writes about education, has penned an op-ed that we feel is worth sharing. Read his thoughtful analysis of the decisions made in Sacramento affecting the University of California and how they "come close to criminal neglect."

To read Peter Schrag's op-ed, click here.

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Texans eyeing Cal professors

A Texas newspaper recently ran an op-ed entitled, "Texas should capitalize on California's Budget Shortfall." The op-ed has spread like wildfire throughout the ten UC campus system because it confirms the fear that other universities are planning to seize the opportunity to lure away our best and brightest faculty during the most difficult budget challenge in the history of the University.

To read the op-ed on the Texas threat, follow this link.

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Join Cal Advocacy

As an alumnus of Cal who cares about the institution, you can voice your support for with the decision makers in Sacramento who are voting to slash funding for the university. Cal Alumni Association launched the first online advocacy program in the UC system and now more than ever we need your support. Sign up online and support Cal by contacting your legislator and letting them know that now is the time for the state to reinvest in public higher education.

To learn more about Cal Advocacy and to sign up, click here.

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Cal Ranked #1

UC campuses performed a full sweep -placing first, second and third - in Washington Monthly's annual college rankings, with Cal coming in at #1. The annual US News & World Report also ranked Cal the #1 public university for the 10th year in a row.

For details about the recent rankings, follow this link.

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Horacio Franco to perform at I-House

Regarded as one of the most successful classical musicians in Mexico and well known for his tireless advocacy for gay rights, Horacio Franco is scheduled to perform at UC Berkeley's International House on September 16 from 7:30-8:45pm. Admission is free and open to the public.

For more details about Franco's performance, click here.

For a list of other upcoming events, follow this link.

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LGBT Alumni Facts and Trivia

What recent Cal alumna who happens to be the most decorated female swimmer in Olympic history is competing on "Dancing with the Stars"?

For the answer, click here.

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Follow Cal Alumni Pride 

[You are receiving this newsletter because you are a Cal Alumni Pride Member and/or you attended one of our events. If this e-mail was forwarded to you, you may join Cal Alumni Pride here. This newsletter was inspired by Berkeley Online]