Administrators, Faculty, Staff Join Forces
to Advocate Against Budget Cuts in Sacramento

Christine Clark | April 11, 2011

Sen. Christine Kehoe, D-39, stands with Vice Chancellor- Student Affairs Penny Rue, Alonso Noble, chair of UC San Diego's Staff Association and representatives from San Diego community colleges.

UC San Diego's Student Affairs, Staff Association and Academic Senate collaborated at the state capitol Tuesday to explain to legislators that California's higher education system is the solution to the state's economic crisis. But state budget cuts of $500 million or more to the University of California are critically threatening the university's future and its ability to continue functioning as a driving force for the state's economy.

As part of Joint Higher Ed Day, April 5, Vice Chancellor-Student Affairs Penny Rue, Chair of the Academic Senate Frank Powell and Chair of the Staff Association Alonso Noble were joined by more than 250 representatives from the University of California, California State University and California Community Colleges. For the second annual event, advocates from all three segments of California’s higher education system urged lawmakers not to cut any more from the higher education budget.

“It’s exciting to have the opportunity to explain to state legislators that higher education is part of the solution to the current fiscal crisis and to show UC San Diego’s broader partnership with the California state and community colleges,” Vice Chancellor Rue said. “We’re here to say: across UC San Diego’s faculty, students, staff and the higher education system of California––the future of this state is in our hands, let us do it.”

This was the first lobbying effort for Rue, Powell and Noble. All three participated in roundtable discussions with state legislators and their staff, including state Sens. Mark Wyland, R-38, Christine Kehoe, D-39, Juan Vargas, D-40, and Assemblymembers Martin Garrick, R-74 , Nathan Fletcher, R-75, Toni Atkins, D-76, Brian Jones, R-7, Marty Block, D-78, and Ben Hueso, D-79.

Prior to the meetings, representatives from California’s public colleges met to discuss the importance of a unified higher education system. UC San Diego and partners from regional state and community colleges demonstrated the synergy among the three higher education systems. “There is a pipeline from the community colleges to UC San Diego,” Rue said in a meeting with Garrick. Rue added that admitting transfer students is a priority for UC San Diego––in fall 2010, a record 2,600 new transfers started classes.

“The California Community colleges will turn away 400,000 students if we get an all-cuts budget,” said California Community College Chancellor Jack Scott. “That is a tragedy for California’s economy.”

In meetings throughout the day Powell, professor at the School of Medicine, communicated the importance of preserving UC San Diego’s academic excellence. “My concern is that what has taken us 50 years to build up can be destroyed in a short amount of time,” Powell said. “We’re under the threat of losing talented faculty and innovative research opportunities that are a huge driving force in California’s economy.”

Noble, who is an assistant superintendent in facilities management, said he was thrilled to represent UC San Diego’s staff with state legislators. “We recognize the impact of a unified front among the students, staff and faculty,” he said. “Staff have already been affected by the cuts. We need to show that these cuts don’t affect one group; they’ll be difficult on the entire campus.”

The messages from UC, CSU and CCC advocates centered on the negative impacts the cuts will have on California’s current community and the future of the state’s economy. The governor has already signed bills cutting $1.4 billion from the state’s colleges and universities next year, with community colleges losing $400 million and UC and CSU each losing $500 million. The stakes are even higher if a revenue measure is not put before voters, which could lead to an all-cuts budget, doubling the decrease of state funds to California’s higher education system.

In a meeting with Sen. Kehoe’s staff, Ted Mulhauser, a staff representative, explained the significance of communicating with legislators in face-to-face meetings. “I can’t tell you how important it is to have you come here and deliver a consistent strong message advocating for higher education.” In that same meeting, Rue discussed the economic impact of higher education. “Where else does the state get a return on investment?” she said. “The design of the California’s higher education system is what made this state the sixth biggest economy in the world.”

UC San Diego’s fiscal year 2010 revenues were $2.9 billion; 31.7 percent of this total is revenue from contracts and grants, most of which is from the federal government for research. Only 9.6 percent of the university’s operating budget comes from State of California. Yet, that small state investment in UC San Diego results in significant impact to the region in terms of the economy and healthcare. UC San Diego faculty, staff and alumni have started 646 companies, including many of local biotech and technology firms.

To contact California’s state leaders and support the investments of the university or to sign up to become an advocate (10-second lobbyist), go to: http://advocacy.ucsd.edu.