Letters: CSU's computer system, Sacramento Bee

Minimum-wage threat looms at Chico State, Chico Enterprise-Record
Faculty and staff at Chico State University can expect to be paid, even if California continues not to have a budget, but the amount in those checks could come as a genuine shock.

State leader gives educators 'musts', Long Beach Press-Telegram
Despite a drop in state funding, public schools, colleges and universities have to find ways to work together to offer students a seamless path to employment, Jack O'Connell, state superintendent of public instruction, said Thursday in Long Beach.

Family sues in wake of sorority death, Ventura County Star
The family of one of two women who drowned during an alleged college hazing sued a sorority for wrongful death Wednesday, saying its members should have known it was dangerous to send pledges into heavy surf at night.

Politics with religious zeal, Ventura County Star
The high priests of California politics have been thumping their desks this June with all the fervor of a Southern preacher at a summer revival meeting.

With Deadline Near, States Are in Budget Discord, New York Times
With 46 states facing the end of their fiscal years on Monday, 9, an unusually high number, remain locked in disputes over their budgets.

Budget proposal has heavy cuts, tax hike, Ventura County Star/AP
Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson plans to offer a budget plan today that includes $1 billion in new spending cuts but also a half-cent sales tax increase and a hike in income taxes paid by the state's highest earners.

Tough times -- few options, Sacramento Bee
State workers face an uncertain future of wage and job cuts.

Senate GOP to propose host of cuts, Sacramento Bee
In hopes of breaking a budget impasse, Senate Republicans on Thursday said they will propose a flood of spending cuts in coming days and demand that Democrats debate their merits on the Senate floor.

Budget cuts by states largest in 27 years, San Diego Union-Tribune/AP
To survive this fiscal year, states overall cut more from their budgets than they have in about a quarter-century. To get through next year, a record number of governors want to shrink their budgets.

Science center opens at USD, San Diego Union-Tribune
$10 million grant from Shileys supported project.

New CTA head brings a smile to tough arena, Sacramento Bee
Her predecessor, a skillful negotiator, was known for his bare-knuckle tactics. Those who know Barbara Kerr say she prefers a velvet glove. The Riverside elementary school teacher becomes president today of the 335,000-member California Teachers Association.

CR's fall semester in jeopardy, Eureka Times-Standard
Community colleges will receive no money until state budget passes.

Measure Calls for Wider Access to Federally Financed Research, New York Times
A group challenging the power of established scientific journals says legislation will be introduced to make the results of all federally financed research available to the public.

Embattled College President Wins Backing of Trustees, New York Times
The University of Massachusetts board of trustees gave a strong endorsement today to William M. Bulger, the school's embattled president, who was forced to testify last week to a Congressional committee about his relationship with his fugitive brother, a Boston gangster who has been indicted on racketeering and murder charges.

PeopleSoft-Oracle struggle puts customers in limbo, San Francisco Chronicle
Conflicting visions of the future leave users of software confused and worried.

N.Y.C. Schools Ruled a 'Failure', Los Angeles Times
New York's high court finds for city activists who sued the state over funding. It says students are entitled to a basic high school education.

Opinion: Classroom diversity: Race, sex and sense, USA Today
The Supreme Court focused attention on the makeup of college classrooms this week when it ruled that sometimes it's OK to use race as a consideration in selecting students.

Editorial: Gray Davis's Word, Wall St. Journal
Kudos to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission members who voted Wednesday to uphold California's energy contracts. They withstood waves of pressure from politicians who wanted to be let off the hook for their mismanagement of the state's 2001 energy crisis.

Another View: Arciniega was best to head Cal State, Bakersfield Californian
Your editorial regarding the retirement of Cal State President Tomas Arciniega properly praises him for 20 years of accomplishment.

Connerly's crusading is paying off, Sacramento Bee
In his crusade against racial preferences, Ward Connerly portrays himself as fighting a political power structure financially vested in the status quo, but there's a flip side: He's making big bucks himself.