By Gene D. Block
To a large degree, research-driven innovation and an affordable college education have been the foundations of California’s post”“World War II vibrancy, driving both economic growth on a large scale and socioeconomic opportunity for countless individuals. As a leading public research university, UCLA has played a major role in the state’s success.
The dream of a public higher education system in service to the state has been severely hampered by the 2011″“2012 state budget signed last week in Sacramento. Not only does the spending plan reduce funding to the University of California system by $650 million in the fiscal year that started July 1 ““ a cut of about 24 percent ““ but it also leaves open the possibility of additional reductions in January if state tax revenues fall short of projections. This comes on top of reductions that have cut per-student funding levels by more than half over the past two decades; state funding is now at a level below what was provided in 1998″“1999, when the UC system had 73,000 fewer students.
While the severe fiscal challenges facing the state are undeniable, this is nothing less than an abrogation of the state’s responsibility to fund public higher education. While helping to solve a short-term budget crisis, it does a disservice to the state’s long-term future by dis-investing in the research and the workforce that California needs to prosper.
At UCLA, we planned prudently and budgeted conservatively to help absorb an anticipated $96 million reduction in state support in 2011″“2012, but the state’s newly approved spending plan adds an estimated $29 million to that amount. To generate the revenue necessary to ensure the educational experience that students and their families deserve and expect, the UC Board of Regents will likely consider a tuition increase at its July 12″“13 meeting. State leaders have long known that drastic reductions in funding would surely result in tuition increases.
While details of any proposal are not yet available, fully making up for the additional loss of state funding in 2011″“2012 would require a tuition increase of approximately 10 percent.
Traditionally, one-third of revenues from tuition is made available as financial aid to help ensure access to students who might not be able to afford tuition ““ a hallmark of UCLA and the rest of the UC system. Already, UC’s Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan will cover tuition and fees for in-state students whose families have household incomes of less than $80,000.
Regardless of cuts contained in the 2011″“2012 state budget, UCLA faces a projected 2012″“2013 budget shortfall of $55 million. And of course, the state may further reduce funding if projected tax revenues don’t materialize.
To adjust to new funding realities, we will continue our comprehensive efforts to save money, increase efficiency and generate new revenues through the Restructuring Steering Committee. As always, our priority will be preserving instructional programs.
These are difficult times. The state’s fiscal problems are clear, but these further reductions in state support for higher education are unconscionable and unacceptable. I encourage students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends of UCLA to continue advocating on behalf of the university. Contact your legislator and make your voice heard. Let them know, as I have, that California needs a strong public higher education system and that continued funding cuts have real consequences.
Block is the Chancellor of the University of California, Los Angeles.