• UC Plans for $300 Million in Cuts in 2003-04
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  • Chancellor Approves More Parking Changes
  • Car Pool Permits Slashed to $17
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  • Templeton Lecture Series Set for 2003
  • Rev. Martin Luther King Remembered
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    UC Plans for $300 Million in Cuts in 2003-04

    The University of California is slated to absorb nearly $300 million in new funding cuts under the 2003-04 state budget proposed by Gov. Gray Davis earlier this month. In addition to the cuts, the governor did not ask for salary increases for state employees, including UC faculty and staff, according to UC's Office of the President.
    Describing the lack of funding as "another unfortunate element of the situation we are facing," President Richard Atkinson said, "Competitive compensation is key to quality, and a merit program must continue to be a high priority for the University. We will be looking closely at our options as the budget process moves forward, and we remain hopeful that a recovering economy will begin to provide some fiscal relief later this spring."
    Atkinson, in his introduction to UCOP's Web-based newsletter Our University <www.ucop.edu/news/budget/issue6.html>, reminds readers that the cuts are not final until the Legislature and governor approve the state budget. That process traditionally takes months, and can dramatically alter the original proposal. However, an expected $35 billion deficit does not leave much room to maneuver.
    The proposed cuts follow the pattern seen with the recent mid-year reductions of $74 million, OP reports. The targeted areas include administration, libraries, research, educational outreach, teacher professional development, student services, and Cooperative Extension and other public service programs. Personnel reductions in these areas are a possibility.
    As the January newsletter observes, UC is considering "a number of … potential, per sonnel-related options, including reduction-in-time/pay and other programs, to help achieve budget savings with the least possible impact on jobs." However, "the magnitude of the budget reductions also means, unfortunately, that layoffs could be necessary in some program areas targeted for cuts."
    More details are disclosed in a question-and-answer section at the end of the newsletter. On the subject of an early retirement program, UCOP has this to say: "While early retirement programs will be evaluated along with other potential actions, any such program would most likely not be an across-the-board program due to the significant student growth we continue to experience. If some type of early retirement program is offered, it will likely be a focused program designed to target selected areas and specific budgetary objectives."