The University of California’s Merced campus may have to
open its doors in fall 2005 with only half the money initially
requested from the state by campus officials.
The budget recently proposed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger
granted $10 million out of the school’s requested $20
million.
Although expectations were not met, UC Merced officials are
doing their best to open the campus next year, said Sheryl Wyan, a
spokeswoman for UC Merced.
“Everyone is having to make sacrifices in this time of
fiscal crisis ““ UC Merced is certainly sharing in those
cuts,” she said. “We are trying to figure out how we
can best serve our students even with the new budget.”
Since Schwarzenegeer introduced his proposed budget Friday,
officials from UC Merced have been reevaluating their plans for
2005.
The campus originally planned to serve a combined 1,000 graduate
and undergraduate students at its opening, but that number may have
to be reduced. The number of programs and services offered will
also be affected.
One thing that will not be affected is UC Merced’s first
phase of construction, already fully funded by a combination of
bonds and state and UC funds.
This first phase will be completed in 2007 and includes work on
the library, student housing, dining halls, classrooms and office
buildings.
“We are committed to opening Merced in the fall of 2005 if
in fact we are fortunate enough to retain the $10 million from the
governor,” Wyan said. “But with a budget yet to be
finalized, there’s still a lot of questions.”
A revised California budget is expected to be out in May, and
some congressmen already have expressed opposition to spending $10
million on a new UC at a time of fiscal crisis.
During a press conference Monday, Senate President Pro Tempore
John Burton, D-San Francisco, said it does not make sense to spend
money to open a new UC when existing UC’s are cutting
enrollment.
In a floor speech last year, Burton said he would “sell
off UC Merced in a minute.”
In a column written shortly before Schwarzenegger’s budget
went public, Sacramento Bee columnist Dan Walters wrote that many
politicians as well as high-ranking UC officials privately feel
that money could be spent better elsewhere.
But Wyan denied UC opposition to funding UC Merced.
“UC President Dynes has committed his support to the UC
Merced campus and has stated publicly that it is one of his top
priorities,” Wyan said.
Wyan called the school a strategic investment for California and
said the opening of the university would improve the economy of the
Merced area as well as contribute to higher education.
“Obviously there are a number of tremendously important
issues which need funding,” Wyan said.
“We appreciate that the governor has recognized the
importance of this campus to California and education,” she
added.