Wednesday, May 20, 1998
UC system expects windfall from state budget gains
POLITICS: Additional
money to augment funds for libraries, technology
By Said U. Pulido-Aranda
Daily Bruin Contributor
As part of a revision of January’s state budget proposal, Gov.
Pete Wilson wants to allocate an additional $108 million for the
University of California system on top of the $175 million proposed
in January.
California’s powerful economy yielded extra funds because state
revenues were higher than projections used to develop the 1998-99
budget.
"We’ve witnessed dramatic changes these past seven years. We’ve
seen recession swept away by recovery. Seven years ago the
challenge was to make do with less," Wilson said.
"Harder times meant reduced revenues and painful spending
decisions," he added.
In his May revision of the 1998-99 budget of $75.8 billion,
formally released on Thursday during a press conference, Wilson
included a $4.4 billion surplus and a reserve of $1.6 billion.
He also outlined his priorities for California, which include
continuing investment in education and a $3.6 billion tax cut.
"We must be nothing less than ambitious when it comes to
creating a world-class system of education that meets the demand
for a talented work force," Wilson said. "We’ve maintained that
commitment when it was not easy."
According to UC President Richard Atkinson, the additional
funding will be helpful in meeting a number of critical needs,
especially the expected enrollment of an additional 3,200 students
to the UC system.
"Governor Wilson’s strong demonstration of support for the
University of California is extremely gratifying," said
Atkinson.
"The extra money, combined with an earlier one-time funding of
needs related to instructional equipment, deferred maintenance and
libraries, represents a significant benefit for our students,
faculty and staff," he added.
Before the 1998-99 budget can be approved by the state
legislature, a final proposal has to be submitted by Wilson before
July 1.
If the budget passes, the additional $108 million would go
toward funding in five different areas.
First, $10 million will be spent on library materials and
supplies.
Funding for the expected enrollment of an additional 3,200 UC
students would total $23 million.
Wilson would allso allocate $25 million to the UC budget for
acquisition of instructional equipment such as laboratory
materials, classroom computers and furniture.
Spending for instructional technology, like videoconferencing
equipment for classrooms, as well as computers for libraries, would
be $25 million.
Finally, $25 million is set aside to meet deferred maintenance
needs such as the repair and replacement of roofs, elevators,
heating and ventilation systems.
"These are some wonderful news, and there is no doubt that UCLA
will get some of that money once and if it is approved (by the
state legislature)," said Glyn Davis, UCLA’s assistant vice
chancellor of academic planning and budget.
"However, in my job I have to be conservative and wait to see
how things develop," he added.
According to Terri Lighthouse, a spokesperson at the UC office
of the president, it is still uncertain how much money would go to
each campus.
But some campus administrators already foresee benefits of the
additional funds.
"In the past few years we have lost 30 to 40 percent of our
purchasing power," said Andrew Stancliffe, head of the acquisitions
department of the Univeristy Research Library.
"We have had to cancel subscriptions to a number of periodicals
because of decreasing funding and inflation, so any additional
money would be very helpful," he added.