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Robert Dynes is a name students should know if they care about the future of this university.

When he takes over as president of the University of California system in October, Dynes will be asked to guide it through one of the university’s most difficult periods in history – enrollment continues to soar and the state budget continues to shrink.

The numbers are startling: the UC expects an unprecedented 40 percent growth in enrollment over the next decade, while its budget continues to experience substantial cuts. The tentative state budget shows that the UC allocation will be slashed by at least $300 million, with student fees projected to increase by at least $795.

There are no easy solutions to the problems the UC faces. Fees will most likely increase, and campuses will experience overcrowding. Students will undoubtedly be frustrated with their wallets hard hit and classrooms filled beyond capacity. Not only students, but frustrated parents, faculty and staff will also be looking to the top to ask for help or point the finger. Dynes must expect this, step into the spotlight, and accept the challenge.

Clearly, he will have to hit the ground running – and he should get ready now.

To be a good leader during this trying time, Dynes must prove to the university, and especially to its students, that he is willing to fight to keep his promise that he will not compromise the quality of the university.

Students’ faith in UC leaders was significantly shaken last year when the UC Board of Regents voted to increase its fees for the first time in eight years during winter break when students were not around. The regents also moved a subsequent meeting about fee increases from the UCLA campus to the UC San Francisco campus – where there are no undergraduate students.

Whether intentional or not, both actions made it difficult for a student voice to be heard. The regents have already voted to conduct meetings at UCSF next year, but Dynes must seek the student voice regardless of how loud and angry it may become.

Rather than avoiding opposing views, Dynes must be willing to listen to those who disagree with him. Dynes must take firm and justified stances on issues, knowing that he cannot please everyone. He must not resort to fence-riding tactics that ultimately appear conniving and turn him into the enemy. And most importantly, he must gain the trust of students and faculty and restore their faith in the UC’s top officials.

Dynes should remember the UC system is defined by its public nature. If fees rise to private school levels, or diversity declines, the system will cease to serve the general population of the state.

As the chancellor of UC San Diego since 1996, Dynes does have an impressive track record. In the past seven years, UCSD’s outreach, enrollment and graduation rates have improved. Also, the university is currently the seventh-ranked public university in the nation, according to U.S. News and World Report. But despite his past successes, a daunting task awaits him as the UC’s head official starting next fall.

Now that he has a view from the top, we hope he doesn’t forget what it looks like from down here. At the very least, he should remember that open lines of communication go a long way toward making people feel secure. Ultimately, his actions must protect the UC’s status as the most prestigious public university in the world.

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