UC President Mark G. Yudof warned last week that additional cuts to the UC budget may be coming later this month, according to revised budget scenarios issued by the governor.
If the May 19 ballot propositions pass, the UC will experience a total cut of $240 million from the 2009-2010 operating budget, according to a statement issued by the UC Office of the President on Thursday.
If the propositions fail, however, the UC will experience a cut of $322 million from the general operating budget for the 2009-2010 academic year, according to the same statement.
“The severe reductions envisioned in these scenarios, especially if the ballot measures fail, threaten a dramatic change in the quality and accessibility of the university,” Yudof said in the statement.
The budget cuts are generally non-allocated cuts, leaving the decision of what programs will be affected, and by how much, up to the UC Board of Regents.
However, the UC’s academic preparation programs such as the Early Academic Outreach Program and the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement outreach program, have been specifically targeted by the governor, said Ricardo Vazquez, a spokesman for the UC Office of the President.
“The work of these programs and the impact they have on those students of underrepresented and historically marginalized communities is very significant,” said Cinthia Flores, the newly elected president of the undergraduate student government.
“If we want to serve the Los Angeles community it is essential that we save those programs,” she said.
Campuses across the UC system, including UCLA, may face cuts to academic programs, on-campus student services, as well as a reduction in enrollment and an increase in class sizes, Yudof said in the statement. He added that there may also be an increase in student fees and pay reductions or furloughs for employees.
“The president’s strong preference is to not revisit the issue of fee increases again this year,” Vazquez said.
Still, the ultimate decision of how the UC will make up for the increased budget cuts is up to the entire Board of Regents.
“I’ve been involved in lobbying and advocacy efforts at a national level and I’m trying to bring that expertise to a campus level in negotiations with administration,” Flores said.
“We need more transparency in what is actually being cut,” she added.
Despite the governor’s decision to target the academic preparation programs, Yudof still strongly supports them.
“The commitment continues,” Vazquez said.
The exact amount of budget cuts facing the UC will be decided after the passage or failure of the May 19 ballot proposals.