UC Regents discuss eliminating Cal Grants, enrollment
By Laura Belyavski
Jan. 20, 2010 5:05 p.m.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s 2010-2011 proposed budget plan was the focus of today’s UC Board of Regents meeting at UC San Francisco.
Even if the UC receives the $6.9 billion in federal money that Schwarzenegger’s initial plan relies on, the UC would “still be $237 million short relative to our 2007-2008 baseline funding numbers,” said Nathan Brostrom, interim executive vice president for business operations of the UC Office of the President.
As part of a presentation to the finance committee, three UC Office of the President budget experts outlined the cuts that may have to be made, depending on the final budget plan.
During discussion, the two most talked about items were the potential elimination of enrollment growth at the UC and the elimination of Cal Grants.
The proposed budget would increase funding to the UC by $370 million, but $305 million was promised to be restored to the 2010-2011 budget after last year’s temporary cuts, said UC Vice President for Budget Patrick Lenz.
While the budget may not be finalized until after classes begin next fall, the regents will have a better idea of the details within a few weeks, said Brostrom, Lenz and UC Senior Vice president for External Relations Daniel Dooley in a press conference after the meeting.
Regent Richard Blum said he has little faith in the new budget proposal.
“This one is arguably as bad as the last one,” he said.
He added that his wife, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, was never consulted in the formation of this budget.
UCLA Chancellor Gene Block said he has to be realistic about the budget and that the road to recovery is a long one. However, he is hopeful that some of the most integral programs, such as Cal Grants, will not be cut.
“It’s so critical for students,” he said.
Block added that the situation will likely end in compromise.
