More than 60 UCLA supporters --alumni, friends, staff and students --are mobilizing, led by UCLA's Office of Government and Community Relations, to personally deliver critical messages March 19 to state legislators in support of the campus and the University of California.

Joining the annual trek to the state capital for UC Day in Sacramento, the Bruins hope to reach the ear of legislators with their perspectives on a state budget that leaves a $340-million gap between UC's needs and proposed state funding, about an all-important November 2002 education bond measure and about UCLA's powerful economic impact on the greater Los Angeles region and the state.

"UC Day is an important way to engage the alumni and supporters of the university in advocating for future generations of Californians," said Sandra Sealy, assistant director of State Government Relations, who is coordinating UCLA's participation in the event. UC chooses this time of year to make its case because it occurs before state budget committee hearings commence in April.

On the budget, advocates are hoping to hammer home the fact that the loss of the Partnership Agreement funding for the second straight year will put UC further behind on paying competitive salaries to employees. In addition, since the budget is not providing for the increased cost of undergraduate education, as in the past, UC is being forced to consider raising student fees or cutting other programs to make up a $36-million gap.

On the bond measure, Bruin advocates are calling on legislators to increase the amount of the proposed bond act from $13 billion to $13.3 billion, of which $2.3 billion would go to higher education. If voters pass it, UC would receive $333 million per year to fund its capital program.

Finally, legislators will be hearing a lot this year about the economic impact UCLA has on the state and region, bolstered by figures from a new report commissioned by the university.

For the state's investment of $590 million (covering around 22% of the university's annual operating budget), UCLA generates a $6-billion economic impact on the greater Los Angeles region. For every $1 California taxpayers invest in the campus, UCLA generates $10 in economic activity in terms of the jobs it produces, the public services it supports through $225 million a year in state taxes paid on earnings and purchases, and the new businesses and inventions it facilitates.

As the 10th-largest employer in the region, the university's employment and spending support 63,000 permanent jobs in Southern California.

Bruin advocates will be brimming with statistics and loaded with fact sheets showing that UCLA's employees and students spend nearly $787 million annually and that the campus itself averages about $100 million in capital expenditures annually. The university also generates nearly $500 million in state and federal tax revenue.

"Legislators know about the quality education and the cutting-edge research that UCLA provides, but often they do not see the impact of the money spent on UCLA as an economic investment that yields significant results for Los Angeles and California," said Assistant Vice Chancellor Keith Parker, who will be heading up the UCLA contingent.

The work ahead for UCLA supporters will not end with UC Day.

"Even if volunteers cannot join us for UC Day in Sacramento," said Ramona Cortés Garza, executive director of State Government Relations, "we will need everyone's help in writing letters to key legislators and communicating the importance of the university to the Los Angeles community and the state during this tough budget year."

To volunteer or learn more about how personal efforts can make a difference, contact Manny Baldenegro at (310) 794-6815 or at mannyb@support.ucla.edu.