Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 2010-2011 proposed budget plan sparked criticism and debate at Wednesday’s UC Board of Regents meeting at UC San Francisco.
Even if the UC receives the $6.9 billion in federal money that Schwarzenegger’s initial plan relies on, the UC would “still be $237 million short relative to our 2007-2008 baseline funding numbers,” said Nathan Brostrom, interim executive vice president for business operations of the UC Office of the President.
As part of a presentation to the finance committee, three UC Office of the President budget experts outlined the cuts that might be made, depending on the final budget plan.
The two most discussed items were the potential elimination of growth at the UC and the elimination of Cal Grants.
The proposed budget would increase funding to the UC by $370 million, but $305 million was promised to be restored to the 2010-2011 budget after last year’s temporary cuts, said UC Vice President for Budget Patrick Lenz.
While the budget may not be finalized until after classes begin next fall, the regents will have a better idea of the details within a few weeks, said Brostrom, Lenz and UC Senior Vice President for External Relations Daniel Dooley in a press conference after the meeting.
Regent Richard Blum said he has little faith in the new budget proposal.
“This one is arguably as bad as the last one,” he said.
He added that his wife, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, was never consulted in the formation of this budget.
UCLA Chancellor Gene Block said he has to be realistic about the budget and that the road to recovery is a long one. Block added that the situation will likely end in compromise.
However, UC Students Association President Victor Sanchez, one student who attended the meeting, is not ready to give up on any of his goals.
Sanchez, a fourth-year sociology and Latin American and Latino studies student at UC Santa Cruz, discussed student action in Sacramento in early March. This action will consist of a lobbying weekend in late February that will culminate in a student rally and press conference to advocate the UC to state legislators on March 1, he told the regents.
While regents Blum and Leslie Tang Schilling both expressed support for this approach, Sanchez is not ready to march hand in hand with the regents.
“I don’t know if we necessarily want them (there) if they don’t support everything we support,” Sanchez said.
He said UCSA supports the Torrico oil-tax bill and comprehensive prison reform instead of privatization and repealing the student fee increases.
The regents voiced their opposition to the Torrico bill and did not vocalize support for the other two measures. The board does agree with Sanchez that Cal Grants must be saved, but Sanchez does not consider that to be enough for the regents to march with students.
According to UC spokeswoman Lynn Tierney, UC union representatives attended the public comment period and voiced concern and opposition for UC policies. At the end of the public comment period, the individuals silently blew up green balloons, waved them above their heads and left, she said.
The scene contrasted greatly with November’s raucous meetings, during which the screams of protesters could be heard through the walls of Covel Commons and the public seating area was evacuated after those present disrupted proceedings with both shouts and songs.
Student regent-designate Jesse Cheng did express some hope in terms of the new budget.
“It’s a step in the right direction and it’s sending a more positive message,” he said.
During the meeting, Block presented a long-range plan for UCLA, which would create a more diverse, economically viable university while attempting to maintain the excellence for which the school is known.
In addition, Block plans to implement a mandatory capstone project to test students’ comprehensive knowledge before they graduate. He said he sees it as consistent with Challenge 45, which asks UCLA’s academic departments to downsize upper division requirements to a total of 45 units.