At first blush, you might think the University of California Commission on the Future consists of a group of academics sitting around debating when jet packs will hit the market, or what year the apes will finally replace humans as rulers of the planet.

But no, it's actually a panel of five working groups, each given the charge of considering a different aspect of how the "University of California (can) best serve the state in the years ahead and maintain access, quality and affordability in a time of diminishing resources."

Students who have experienced all the unrest and hardship caused by a series of steep tuition hikes will probably be heartened that the very existence of the Commission on the Future implies that someone important thinks that there is a future for the university.

On Monday, the group released its final recommendations for generating revenue and sustaining itself fiscally. You can read the full list of recommendations or the full report.

And for a real trip down fiscally-sound memory lane, browse the evolution of the California Master Plan for Higher Education from 1960 on.

UC Commission on the FutureUC Commission on the Future

UC Commission on the Future: Final Report