Good morning, Santa Cruz County. It is Monday, March 23, and our forecast is for mostly sunny skies and temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to mid-80s.
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Max Chun is up first with his Carmageddon column, this week examining efforts to get a sales tax measure on the November ballot to keep up funding levels at Santa Cruz Metro. The transit agency’s ambitious effort to overhaul services and double ridership was funded by a $28 million one-time state grant, which is expected to run out early next year.
From campus, Hillary Ojeda reports that UC Santa Cruz is cutting its number of provosts in half next academic year, with five provosts each overseeing two of the school’s 10 colleges instead of one provost per college. The decision comes amid a list of changes that some faculty, lecturers and alumni say are diminishing the college experience.
Mat Weir previews the return of Surf City Comic Con to the Capitola Mall, with the event featuring not only old toys, comic books and posters but a cosplay contest and special guests. That’s happening April 11.
Among the headlines you’ll also find a remembrance of former Lookout managing editor Tamsin McMahon, who died last week at 48. Onward.
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Carmageddon: Sales tax to prevent major cuts to Santa Cruz Metro aimed for November ballot
Supporters of Santa Cruz Metro have begun gathering signatures to get a sales tax on the November ballot by way of a citizens’ initiative, in order to lower the threshold for the number of votes needed to pass. Without local funding, the county transit agency faces potentially major cuts to its personnel and level of service. Here’s the latest from Max Chun.
UCSC to reduce number of provosts by half, with each leading two of its 10 colleges instead of one
UC Santa Cruz will cut the number of college provosts in half next academic year, shifting to a model where five full-time provosts each oversee two colleges instead of one, a change administrators say will improve coordination and expand access to programs. The move has sparked concern among alumni who fear it could weaken college identity and student relationships, though university officials and current provosts say it will strengthen the system rather than diminish it. Details here from Hillary Ojeda.
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May our Monday be a smooth one – thanks for reading.
Will McCahill