Patrick Lenz, the University of California system's vice president for budget and capital resources, made the following statement today (Dec. 11) in response to Assembly Speaker John Pérez's announcement that he and his Assembly Democratic colleagues support increasing state funding for UC:
"We are very encouraged. After years of declining state support during the economic recession, we welcome legislative initiatives to help meet the current and future needs of California by supporting the vital mission of our public university system. Increased state funding beyond a 5 percent base budget increase will address enrollment growth — potentially adding an additional 2,200 freshmen and community college transfers — and the urgent need to reinvest in the academic quality of the university. We thank the speaker for his support of the proposals outlined in our 2014–15 budget request and welcome further collaboration to help keep UC accessible, affordable and academically excellent. This is a promising development for the University of California and, in the long run, for all of California."