Lawmakers sure to hear about UC funding

For the University of California Student Association, March is the time to talk to state legislators about giving more money to the UC.

Victor Sanchez, a UC Santa Cruz student and president of the student association, told UC regents on Wednesday at their regularly scheduled meeting that students will descend on Sacramento in March as part of a UC advocacy campaign.

Georgina Tosco, an officer of the UC Merced Associated Student Body, said she plans to visit Sacramento with other UC Merced students. She'll also make phone calls to legislators to support Assembly Bill 656. That measure proposes to tax oil producers 12 percent of their revenue. The money would then be placed in a fund for higher education.

In November, UC Regents approved a 32 percent fee hike, or $2,500 more in tuition over the next two years, to address the $19 billion state budget shortfall.

In January, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said in his State of the State address that he's committed to restoring funding to higher education.

In his preliminary budget, Schwarzenegger restored $305 million slashed from the 2009-2010 budget. He also proposed $51.3 million for enrollment growth, which depends on an influx in federal funds. He also promised to fund Cal Grants, which help low-income students.

UC Merced Assistant Vice Chancellor of Government Relations Larry Salinas said he was happy the governor is refocusing the state's priorities. He added that he was grateful UC Merced received $5 million in supplemental money for next year.

"We look at this budget, and we're asking for a restoration of funds to make up for cuts in previous years," Salinas said. "We're still trying to play catch-up. We're hopeful the state Legislature will take the governor's lead when it comes to their commitment to higher education."

And if the lawmakers need any help in March, there'll be plenty of UC students around to remind them.

Jamie Oppenheim can be reached at (209) 385-2407 or joppenheim@mercedsun-star.com.