No. The vast majority of big donations to the university are designated for specific use. They support a new hospital, help renovate a new home for the arts on campus, or endow a chair-those above-and-beyond investments that help make the difference between a good university and a great one.

 

Just as the state isn't going to fund a new state-of-the-art research center, donors are not going to pay the university's utility bills. Philanthropic giving in total represented about 9.5% of our revenues in fiscal 2007, so it is an important supplement but it cannot replace revenue shortfalls that might occur elsewhere. That's why we need both.

 

 

No. Since the University of California’s portion comes from the discretionary part of the state budget — the part that can be cut or shifted someplace else — it is among the most vulnerable parts of the budget. The UC does work with the Legislature and the Governor to provide adequate funding. But it’s not law. It’s not part of the state constitution. And we can’t go to the courts for more funding. Moreover, those discretionary funds — about 25% of California’s total expenditures of $100 billion-plus — are split between the UC, the Cal State system, the community colleges, prison operations, some healthcare costs and transportation.