Mercury News editorial: UC system favors nonresidents? Another layer of tarnish

Mercury News Editorial

The negotiated pause in the war of words between Sacramento officials and the University of California ended Tuesday when State Auditor Elaine Howle issued a scathing report on the UC system.

The audit says California students have been dramatically disadvantaged by the enrollment practices at UC that clearly favor admission of nonresident students because they pay more. The report says numbers indicate that UC doesn’t just accept nonresidents over equally qualified residents. It actually lowers its admission standards for those nonresident students.

UC President Janet Napolitano responded by releasing her own report and saying the audit was “neither accurate nor helpful.”

And here we go. Dueling reports with conflicting findings that will lead to hardened positions, angry words and much, much public posturing.

This was evident during a UC tuition showdown about 18 months ago. Napolitano threatened to raise tuition 5 percent a year for five years unless more state money was forthcoming. Legislators countered with combative budget hearings and proposals that would cut the power of UC administrators.

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[Source]: Mercury News