University of California President Michael V. Drake, M.D., today (May 13) issued the following statement on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s revised 2022-23 budget proposal:
I want to thank Gov. Newsom for his continued partnership as we work to strengthen the University and better serve the people of California. The governor’s revised budget proposal reaffirms the profound investments in access, affordability and excellence at the University of California proposed in his initial January budget while acknowledging the University’s critical role in driving social mobility and research innovation statewide. Under this revised budget proposal, the governor and the University have also agreed to a five-year funding compact that offers reliable financial support for our campuses tied to specific student success benchmarks. This increased, sustained funding will allow the University of California to make important investments that will expand access to the University for more California undergraduates.
This budget helps more underserved students achieve timely graduation and increases financial aid for low- and middle-income California students which, when combined with UC’s significant existing investments in financial aid, will help more California students receive a UC education.
I would also like to thank Gov. Newsom for his continued commitment to harnessing the University’s incredible research expertise to better understand and mitigate the impacts of climate change. His $185 million investment will enable UC researchers to expand their work on wildfire mitigation and drought preparedness and the University to invest in regional climate incubators that will develop and deploy ideas, policies and technologies to help communities become more resilient to our changing climate.
Gov. Newsom has also proposed $5 million in one-time funding for the UC Berkeley Center for Responsible, Decentralized Intelligence research on the uses of blockchain and Web3 technologies and an additional $13 million in ongoing support for UC Labor Centers to continue their cutting-edge work in building a new generation of labor leaders and in researching workforce development issues in California and throughout the country.
The proposal will allow the University of California to enhance its mission of teaching, research and public service, expanding our impact throughout California. The University also appreciates the past strong support from the Legislature and looks forward to working with legislators and the governor to address our shared priorities in the final budget.