Revelations make case for ‘zero-based budgeting’ at UC

By U-T San Diego Editorial Board

The University of California’s history of resisting close scrutiny of its fiscal practices has been justified as reflecting UC leaders’ determination to maintain independence from meddling politicians. But UC President Janet Napolitano’s success last fall in persuading UC regents to commit to five years of annual 5 percent tuition hikes unless more state funding is forthcoming has prompted state leaders to demand a closer look at UC’s books — and the initial results could scarcely make UC look worse.

Legislative staffers report that total UC spending from all sources of revenue went up 40 percent from 2007-08 to the present fiscal year — far greater growth than seen in other large state institutions. This undercuts Napolitano’s claims of poverty and shores up critics who say UC has slack, unfocused management. Amazingly, officials struggle to detail exactly where much of UC’s current $26.9 billion budget goes. They can’t say how many faculty members primarily engage in research and how many primarily teach students — which is supposed to be UC’s core function.

Given this chaotic backdrop, everyone should applaud Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins’ call for a new era of “zero-based budgeting” at UC, in which every expense must be justified. If Napolitano wants to be remembered as a good UC president, she should lead this push for responsible spending — not defend a status quo that’s looks indefensible.

[Source]: U-T San Diego