UC system cuts costs

The proposed financial and administrative overhaul could cut expenses by $500 million. It covers stuff like common supply-procurement and HR systems instead of individual campus systems (that it's taken a budget crisis to implement such cost-cutting speaks volumes). Some layoffs would be involved. The efficiency plan will be presented to the UC Board of Regents on Wednesday. From the WSJ:

Robin Garrell, a chemistry professor at the University of California, Los Angeles and chair of its faculty body, welcomed an operational overhaul. "This is an area where there certainly are opportunities to save money with little impact on academic programs," Prof. Garrell said. But, she added, "I would be wary of a one-size-fits all model," especially for cutting administrative jobs, because "each campus has its own needs and character."