UC Davis officials including representatives of both outreach and research programs are working to evaluate the potential effect on the campus of Gov. Gray Davis' recommended revisions to the state budget specifically to accommodate a shortfall of nearly $24 billion in state general funds.

Analysts from the Office of Resource Management and Planning are examining program budgets and, along with staff members from the government and community relations office, meeting with program representatives.

"We're at work assessing what the specific impacts will be on dollars, people and programs at UC Davis," said Provost and Vice Chancellor Executive Provost Virginia Hinshaw. "UC employees committed to these programs are justifiably concerned, so a high priority is to explore options available to address their concerns."

"Given the magnitude of the state's deficit, the University of California will need to share in resolving the budget challenge," she added. "But through the Office of the President, we will continue to work with the governor and Legislature on remaining budget issues."

The campus's Office of the Provost is coordinating a detailed accounting of the potential campus impacts for the Office of the President.

On May 14, the governor proposed cuts of $32 million, or 10 percent, in state funding to research programs; $85.9 million to K-12 outreach and professional development programs for teachers; and $4.7 million to graduate and professional school outreach.

Among those K-12 outreach programs operating at UC Davis, the systemwide cuts include the elimination of state funding for the School/University Partnerships program ($12 million), ArtsBridge ($750,000) and UC ACCORD ($500,000), which conducts outreach-related research; and an $11.3 million reduction in state funding for the California Subject Matter Projects and the removal of $50.9 million for the California Professional Development Institutes.

Marj Dickinson, assistant vice chancellor for government and community relations, said there will be many uncertainties as the budget process unfolds.

The governor's budget recommendation is subject to change as it moves through legislative subcommittees, the full Assembly and Senate, and to a budget conference committee to reconcile differences between the Assembly and Senate versions of the budget. Finally, before the governor signs the budget, he may reduce or eliminate any appropriation through a line-item veto.

Although the state constitution calls for the budget to be adopted by July 1, Dickinson notes that the difficult budget choices facing lawmakers could extend the discussion and delay final decisions on the 2002-03 fiscal year budget until late summer.