UC students, administrators to join for Capitol rally

MERCED -- University of California students and administrators will join forces in May at the state Capitol in an effort to highlight the drastic impact of state budget cuts on the 10-campus system.

University of California Board of Regents Chairwoman Sherry Lansing announced the rally Wednesday during the board's meeting at UC Riverside.

UC Merced officials are encouraging their students to participate in the event. Jane Lawrence, vice chancellor for student affairs, said student involvement is key to the rally, particularly because legislators ultimately will decide how much money the system receives. It's important "for them to get involved in their community and to make their voices heard as part of the political process," Lawrence said.

The regents will meet in Sacramento on May 16 and May 17.

The board will lobby lawmakers, along with students, faculty, staff, alumni and other advocates.

UC Merced and UC Berkeley are the two campuses that are on the semester system, and students will be out of school a week before the rally.

However, Lawrence said, knowing UC Merced students as she does, she believes some of them still will participate. "UC Merced will be represented," she said.

UC officials also hope the rally will build support for re-investment in higher education, according to a news release from the UC Office of the President.

The UC system has faced significant budget cuts in the past few years. "Along with budget cuts, there have been steep fee increases," Lawrence said.

That affects students and their families, which is why it's critical that the state reinvest in higher education, she said. College students in general "are really going to help lead future prosperity for the state of California."

Lansing is meeting with students at all 10 campuses to have discussions about state funding. She has met with students at UCLA and UC San Diego. She said students have been extremely engaged in the meetings.

"We all want the same things for the UC, whether you're a student, a parent, a faculty or staff member, an alumnus or a regent," she said during the meeting. "We all want high-quality and accessible academic programs, modern libraries and research facilities, safe and inviting campuses, good student services and affordable tuition."

That's what has made the UC a world-class higher education system, she said. Still, she said, it's important to recognize that there are obstacles to overcome.

One of them is state funding. The UC system had to absorb $750 million in state budget cuts this year, the 2011-12 fiscal year. That's a 25 percent cut from the previous year's funding, Lansing said.

Moreover, California has significantly reduced funding for public research universities, according to a report released Wednesday by the National Science Foundation. The state reduced per-student funding for its major public research universities by 30 percent from 2002 to 2010, after adjusting for inflation, the report found.

Still, UC President Mark Yudof said he was pleased that Gov. Jerry Brown included an additional $90 million for the UC system in his budget proposal that could be used for retirement costs.

The state has the obligation just as it contributes to the California community college system and the California State University system, he said. Although, it wouldn't cover all the costs, Yudof said it's a step in the right direction.