Wednesday, January 15, 1997
EDUCATION:
The funds will be set aside students attending private schoolsBy
Shari Sklut
Daily Bruin Contributor
A $32.8 million increase in financial aid is among the greatest
highlights of Gov. Pete Wilson’s recently unveiled 1997-98 budget
proposal.
But it’s an increase that students at California’s public higher
learning institutions likely won’t see. The funds, while destined
for the state’s need-based Cal Grant program, are earmarked for
students at private schools.
In addition, stringent curricular qualifications will limit the
number of students receiving new awards from the additional funds
allocated by the governor’s proposal.
Approximately 95,000 students currently receive Cal Grants,
according to Dana Callihan, a director at the California Student
Aid Commission.
Last year, there was an increase of 5,000 new Cal Grants
overall. But the only new awards from the newly allotted funds are
reserved for students enrolled in programs leading to employment in
digital animation. Five-hundred new awards will be created out of
the $1 million set aside for new awards, which will be matched
dollar for dollar by the digital animation industry.
"One of the areas where there needs to be more training is in
this area. We need people trained in what has become California’s
industry," said Lisa Kalustian, a spokesperson for the
governor.
Kalustian noted that the industry currently recruits artists
from overseas due to a lack of qualified domestic talent.
But since the increase in financial aid will likely be given to
students at private schools, student government officials are
keeping a wary eye on the governor’s proposal.
"In a very sneaky way, Wilson wants us to believe that he
supports education," said John Du, president of UCLA’s
Undergraduate Students Association Council. "But in reality, the
increase in financial aid is only going to private schools, and not
supporting public education."
Wilson is also proposing a buyout of a 10 percent increase in
fees for the third consecutive year  a savings of $415 for UC
students. "The cost of UCLA (registration) went up $30 last year
aside from the 10 percent increase buy-out," Kalustian said. "We’re
not talking about a huge increase."
As the third year of a four-year contract between Wilson and
California’s higher education administrators, a 10 percent increase
would have covered a 4 percent increase in operating costs at the
institutions.
And, as the governor’s proposal outlines, 1997-98 would be the
third consecutive year that state government officials would have
been able to prevent such an increase.
The increases in funding for education in California are
occurring now because "we finally have some extra money."
"At the beginning of the ’90s, California had no money,"
Kalustian said. "Education is a top priority for this governor.
Fifty-five cents of every general fund dollar is spent on
education."
Despite these claims, Du questioned the need to even suggest a
student fee increase.
"Why should (Wilson) raise student fees to pay for the
(increased) cost of running the university when there is an
increase in state revenues in the budget?" Du asked.
Student fee increases notwithstanding, UCLA is still viewed as a
private school education at public school prices, officials
said.
"When you really look at what your getting, this is a bargain
price. A degree from UCLA Â you can’t put a price on it,"
Kalustian said. "It’s understandable that students are chagrined,"
she said, adding that the government subsidizes 63 percent of the
cost of an education.
Tom Lifka, vice chancellor of Student Academic Services &
Registrar, saw the governor’s proposals from both sides. "On the
one hand, I’m sure its good for students that fees don’t go
up."
But, he added, when fees are held constant, other areas suffer
because while the cost of such services as student health and the
Career Center continue to rise, no additional funding is provided
for them.
The governor’s budget proposals are not final as they are
pending passage by the State Legislature.