University Communications

TORRES-GIL: UCLA is one of the most successful campuses in terms of raising private dollars. But some may say that because we do so well, maybe more of the state money should go to other UC campuses.

CHU: It’s not fair to say that state money should be diverted to other campuses. That would be a disincentive for UCLA to be a fantastic fund-raiser. There is a reason that UCLA is so successful. People feel an emotional connection to UCLA; it truly is the university that has been the equal-opportunity giver, and many people are very grateful for what they’ve received so they give back.

KUEHL: I don’t think people have the impression that UCLA is so incredibly rich because it raises money or because one wealthy benefactor makes a significant donation. The problem, really, is what to do when the state is truly not capable of maintaining the level of support that it’s given in the past, like this year, and how do we handle that in terms of maintaining the university’s excellence? We can maintain the UC system as a world-class institution by making certain that we get every dollar that’s on the table: every state dollar, every private dollar, every research dollar and in bad times, unfortunately, a few more dollars in student fees.”

CORREA: Whether we are talking about fund-raising or fee increases or enrollment growth or the need to build more buildings, the bottom line is that this is an important time for higher education in general, and UC and UCLA specifically. Your voices must be heard.

UCLA Magazine senior writer Marina Dundjerski ’94 contributed to this article.

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