May 15, 2000
Governor Davis issues 'May revise' of 2000-01 state budget
By Brad Hayward
UC Office of the President
California Governor Gray Davis today (May 15, 2000) issued the "May Revision"
to his 2000-01 state budget proposal. Major items affecting the University of California
include the following:
- $600 million in funding from proposed lease-revenue bonds for earthquake-safety
renovations at UC's five teaching hospitals. The hospitals would help repay the debt
to the extent their financial circumstances allow. Also, $50 million in General Fund
money is provided for non-seismic infrastructure needs at the teaching hospitals.
- $12 million for staff compensation increases, primarily to help UC address market-based
salary lags.
- $50 million to expand access to Internet2. Of this amount, $18 million is provided
to expand Internet2 access at UC campuses, and $32 million is provided to expand
access at K-12 schools in California by utilizing regional hubs located at county
offices of education.
- $44 million, provided to the Wildlife Conservation Board and the Department of
Fish and Game, to foster the development of UC Merced in environmentally sensitive
ways. This allocation will fund the development and implementation of various natural
resources conservation plans, along with acquisition of acreage in eastern Merced
County to help ensure protection of wetlands and wildlife. An additional $5 million
is provided to UC to accelerate working drawings for the first two buildings at UC
Merced.
- $35 million to fund exceptional needs in deferred maintenance and instructional
equipment.
- $18.8 million to increase the duration of the UC-led Professional Development
Institutes for teachers of mathematics and English-language learners in California's
public schools.
- $1.1 million to provide scholarships for the Governor's Teacher Scholars Program,
which provides a teaching credential and master's degree to candidates who agree
to teach in urban or hard-to-staff schools for four years upon completion of the
program.
- $1 million to expand high schools' access to UC's online Advanced Placement courses.
"The governor has focused on some areas of high priority to the university
and the state," said Larry Hershman, UC vice president for budget. "These
augmentations will help UC expand its work with the public schools, improve compensation
for staff employees and address critical facilities needs, particularly in the university's
health-care facilities."
UC officials were scheduled to provide a full report on the May Revision to the Board
of Regents on Thursday, May 18.
