The University of California Board of Regents met at UCSD on Jan. 19 to hear a report from Gov. Jerry Brown on a budget proposal that would cut more than 16 percent of the university’s direct funding. The demand for admission to the UC system is the highest in its history, yet general fund support from the state will be cut by a proposed $500 million in the 2011-2012 school year. “The moment is fast approaching when the university no longer will be able to guarantee admission to a UC campus to all California applicants who meet the eligibility criteria,” UC President Mark Yudof told the regents. “This commitment is a fundamental element of the Master Plan for Higher Education.” Additionally, mandatory operating costs, rising utility costs and other expenses will put the UC’s budget gap at closer to $1 billion, according to a recent UC statement.