(Sacramento) –The University of California will be the subject of an audit later this summer, as put forth by Assemblymember Mike Gipson (D-Carson), Chair of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee (JLAC). The audit which will focus on the UC’s budget process, nonresident student enrollment, and executive compensation was approved by the committee today by a unanimous, bi-partisan 12-0 vote.
“I support the mission of the UC system to provide exceptional education to our young scholars, but we cannot compromise fairness in achieving that goal,” stated Gipson. “Recent concerns regarding inequity in per-student funding amongst colleges with higher ethnic minority populations, coupled with the increased enrollment of nonresident students and higher executive pay increases demands our attention.”
A joint hearing with the JLAC and Assembly Higher Education Committee in February updated the Legislature about outstanding recommendations stemming from a state audit of the UC budget process in 2011. During that hearing, it became apparent that issues remained regarding lower per-student funding among colleges with higher minority populations and the effect of growing nonresident student enrollment. Bringing further motivation for the new audit was the recent increase in executive compensation and the proposed enrollment cap announced by UC President Janet Napolitano this week.
“Our student’s future should not be a bargaining chip in a budget debate” stated Gipson. “The UC President conditioning student enrollment caps on state funding is unacceptable, and I hope this audit drives the conversation on how to provide the best opportunity for our resident students to pursue affordable higher education.”
The audit is set to begin in July of 2015, details of which can be found here: http://asmdc.org/members/a64/news-room/press-releases/oversight-hearing-calls-for-audit-of-uc-budget.
Mike Gipson represents the 64th Assembly District. The district includes the cities of Carson, Compton, Gardena, Harbor Gateway, Lynwood, North Long Beach, Rancho Dominguez, South Los Angeles, Torrance, Watts/Willowbrook and Wilmington.