Their chance for upward mobility

I found the article in Sunday’s Enterprise, “Chancellor, UCD faculty agree …” well-balanced in content and in tone. There are, however, some points that I would like to add:

* So far, the students have conducted themselves with linearity of purpose, seriousness and good manners. This is because our students are mostly children of the middle class in the small towns of Central California.

* They are fully aware that their whole class is under attack. As Chancellor Linda Katehi stated, “their student tuition has tripled during the last 10 years.” I would venture to say that their parents’ income has not increased proportionately, but has remained the same, and in some cases, has gone down.

* UC Davis is important because it is at the intersection of the Pacific Coast region and Middle America. The students can’t back down and the administration, so far, has not shown any intention of backing down.

* For many students, enrollment in the university and good performance in a rigorous program is the only possible chance for upward mobility.

Paul A. Castelfranco

Professor emeritus of plant biology, Davis

Short URL: http://www.davisenterprise.com/?p=113036

Posted by Letters to the Editor on Dec 7 2011.
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