UC supporters swell to nearly 300,000 strong; large rallies planned

Working to combat a steep slide in state support for higher education, advocates for the University of California are planning large rallies in Sacramento this spring to persuade lawmakers that public higher education should be a funding priority.

 

Efforts to build support for restoring funding to UC and UCLA have been gaining momentum with the launch of an online, grassroots movement to educate lawmakers and the public about all the ways that UC serves California and its people.

 

Supporters now number nearly 300,000 strong — with more than 130,000 people added to the list of UCforCA.org advocates since November.

 

State support for UC has been eroding since the 1990s, but last year, amid a severe recession, lawmakers slashed UC funding by 20 percent. The resulting financial crisis has triggered layoffs, employee furloughs, reduced class offerings and higher student fees. The UC Board of Regents in November proposed a proposed 2010-11 budget that asks the state for $913 million more in funding, an amount that would allow UC to restore core funding for university operations.

 

The UC Student Association on March 1 will hold a rally and press conference at the state Capitol. UC President Mark G. Yudof, along with several UC regents and chancellors, will join student organizers later in the day for meetings with key legislative leaders.

 

"Our students are a critical voice in delivering our message to Sacramento, and it's great to see them engaging in this way," said Yudof. "We are honoring the wishes of the UCSA leaders and not taking a role in their public rally, but we will be visiting legislative leaders together that day to show our solidarity and to express how much we all care about UC's future."

A second rally, on April 27, is being hosted by a coalition that includes UC, the California State University and California Community Colleges. Leaders and key stakeholders from the three public higher education systems will be joined by a select group of community leaders from throughout the state for a joint advocacy day in Sacramento. Organizers hope to draw a broad spectrum of participants, from parents and students, to community organizers, business leaders, faculty and staff.

 

Campuses have also been hosting teach-ins, visiting the district offices of local lawmakers and sponsoring "write-ins," like the one at UC Irvine that resulted in 150 hand-written letters being sent to Sacramento. In addition, the directors and presidents of UC's alumni associations met last month to begin mobilizing their members.

 

 

Chancellor Gene Block and Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Scott Waugh brought UCLA's message to Sacramento on Feb. 8-9. They met with California Assembly Speaker-elect John A. Pérez and other key legislators and committee chairs to discuss the enormous value that UCLA and UC provide to the state in talent — the workforce of today and tomorrow — and innovation — the ideas and discoveries that contribute to California’s economic recovery and ongoing economic growth.

 

UCLA’s Government and Community Relations division is ramping up for the Sacramento rallies as well as for local campaigns. The Bruin Caucus continues to grow, with nearly 5,000 members of the Bruin family signed on to ensure that state and federal lawmakers know the vital role Bruins play in California.

 

On Feb. 13, new Bruin Caucus volunteers will take part in an orientation session to meet other new and seasoned advocates and learn about upcoming advocacy efforts. Plans are also under way for a training workshop, tentatively scheduled for this spring, to help advocates fine-tune skills for effectively communicating about UCLA with legislators and other decision-makers.

 

Also in the works is UCLA in the District Day on March 19, when campus advocates will meet with state Assembly and Senate representatives. In previous years, these visits were conducted in Sacramento, but due to budgetary constraints, this year’s meetings will take place in the lawmakers’ L.A. County offices. On May 10-12, advocates at UCLA Day in Washington, D.C., will serve as “Bruin Ambassadors” to federal policy makers and their staff. For information about these events, the Bruin Caucus and other UCLA advocacy efforts, visit the UCLA Government and Community Relations website or contact that office at Advocacy@support.ucla.edu or (310) 794-6810.

 

 

President Yudof has also been meeting with influential groups and people across the state, asking that they join the cause. He and all 10 chancellors have made frequent trips to Sacramento and Washington D.C. in recent weeks, advocating on UC's behalf and highlighting the university's contributions to California and the nation in terms of research, economic growth and public service.

 

"I am committed to preserving UC as a place of academic excellence and opportunity, and I hope others will join me in this worthy fight," Yudof said. "The investment in higher education is critical to California's future."

 

One sign that advocacy efforts are having an effect: Gov. Schwarzenegger's proposed budget restores $371 million in funding for the university. It's a positive development, but lawmakers must fund the full $913 million if the university is to repair the damage brought by last year's steep cuts, Yudof said.

 

"Adequate state funding is vital if UC is to avoid declining educational quality, access and research," Yudof said. "It's the best investment California can make for its future."

 

Find out more about UC's advocacy efforts at http://www.UC4CA.org.