LOS ANGELES – A ballot issue that would boost community college funding while lowering student fees faced unusual opposition this week from the state's two other higher education systems, the University of California and Cal State University.
Proposition 92, on the February ballot, would change state funding formulas to provide $300 million more in guaranteed state funding for community colleges and public grade schools and high schools for each of the next three years. It would lower student fees by 25 percent, which is equivalent to a drop from $600 to $450 a year for a full-time community college student.
While the initiative has garnered support from some teachers unions and several state legislators, the California Chamber of Commerce and two other teachers unions have opposed it.
The UC and Cal State systems became the latest groups to oppose the initiative when their governing boards raised concerns that it would further squeeze the state's discretionary funds and could force the two systems to raise their student fees.
“We ought to say to the public, vote against this,” UC regent Eddie Island said yesterday during a meeting at UCLA. “If you love this institution, if you believe in our mission, don't allow this obvious grab at the discretionary purse of the Legislature.”
Regent Odessa Johnson, a former dean at Modesto Junior College, was the sole voice arguing that UC remain neutral on the initiative. She said it's vital to recognize the role community colleges play in increasing the diversity of students at community colleges and UC.
Regents voted 15-0 for a resolution opposing the initiative, with Lt. Gov. John Garamendi and student regent Benjamin Allen abstaining. Johnson was not in the room when the regents voted.
Cal State officials raised similar concerns Wednesday at a trustees meeting in Long Beach.
“We have always supported investments in higher education from the state,” said Karen Zamarripa, Cal State's assistant vice chancellor for advocacy and institutional relations. “But we also have serious concerns about the impact this initiative will have on the state and the CSU. It places a greater demand on the state's general fund.”
Cal State trustees voted unanimously for a resolution opposing the initiative.
Andrew Acosta, a spokesman for the campaign for Proposition 92, said he was disappointed that the regents and trustees could not see the benefits of the initiative for the 2.5 million community college students in the state.
“The initiative will do one thing: give more students an opportunity to go to college,” Acosta said.
In other business yesterday, regents approved a plan to pay their departing president, Robert Dynes, $245,000 a year when he returns to the faculty at UC San Diego.
Dynes will step down as UC president in June or when his replacement is found. He will first take a year of administrative leave, the equivalent to a sabbatical.
Dynes' professorial salary was approved 16-1, with Garamendi opposing it.
Staff writer Sherry Saavedra contributed to this report.
Eleanor Yang Su: (619) 542-4564; eleanor.su@uniontrib.com
