Turning Community and Campus Leaders into UC San Diego Advocates

Judy Piercey | February 1, 2010

In a state where more money is spent to incarcerate people than on higher education, the University of California is expanding its community of supporters to stand up to local and state elected officials to help make a difference in higher education.

UC Regent Charlene Zettel spoke during an Advocacy Training session Jan. 29 at the Faculty Club.

With the UC system facing over $813 million in budget cuts, UC San Diego is rallying friends and advocates to speak to legislators. The UC San Diego Board of Overseers — a community advisory board to the Chancellor — sponsored an Advocacy Training session on Friday, Jan. 29 at the Faculty Club to guide would-be campus advocates.   The program was designed to increase the impact, effectiveness and number of advocates for UC San Diego, and to share how advocacy successfully engages elected officials. 

The session featured budget updates by Patrick Lenz, vice president of Budget and Capital Resources for the University of California, and Gary Matthews, vice chancellor for UC San Diego Resource Management and Planning.  Advice for advocates was offered by former Senator Dede Alpert and current UC Regent Charlene Zettel, which was followed by advocacy role playing and other interactive activities.

“In California, $57,000 is spent per prisoner each year — $18,000 a year more than any other state,” Zettel shared with the group.  “The difference could be a reinvestment in education.  By 2025, it is predicted that there will be one million fewer California graduates than our workforce demands.” 

For every dollar the state invests in a student’s higher education in California, the state’s economy receives a $3 net return on investment.  The $813 million in budget cuts to UC equates to a $2.4 billion loss of investment for California’s economy.  Another consideration: research conducted by UC faculty and students leads to new products, new companies, new industries and new jobs for California.  UC creates an average of three new inventions every day, and for the past 14 years, our university system has developed more patents than any other university in the county. 

Former Senator Dede Alpert and current UC Regent Charlene Zettel offer advice to advocates

Alpert encouraged attendees to let others know how this institution benefits the local and state economy. “The best investment we can make to turn the economy around is to invest in education … and that is the message we need to tell our legislators.  We are losing as a nation $2.2 trillion in economic benefits because our U.S. education system is not keeping up with international competitors.  The bright star is higher education … yet our pool of graduates could be significantly impacted in the coming years because of budget constraints.”

UC San Diego is the third largest employer in San Diego County, generating 33,600 jobs locally.  The university contributes $5.7 billion in direct and indirect spending and personal income generated in San Diego County by staff, students, campus visitors and retirees.  Alumni and faculty have founded at least 193 start-up companies.  Statewide they contribute more than $37 billion and general nearly 130,000 jobs; in San Diego County, these start-ups contribute $32 billion in direct and indirect spending and personal income.

Both Zettel and Alpert advised the Advocacy Training attendees to get to know their local and state elected officials, and share the tremendous contributions that the University of California makes to our community and state.   Supporters were encouraged to get involved with email campaigns, make phone calls, write letters to friends and editors, visit district and state capitol offices, attend community and business events, and advocate for UC San Diego at non-campus boards and other organizational meetings.