MESA’S STATE FUNDING JEOPARDIZED

MESA’s state funds have been proposed for elimination in the governor’s 2007–08 budget for California. MESA is one of over a dozen programs whose funding is categorized under UC Student Academic Preparation and Educational Partnerships (SAPEP). All SAPEP funding was eliminated in the governor’s proposed state budget.

This action marks the fourth year in a row that MESA’s funding has been proposed for elimination in the initial state budget. Unless these funds are reinstated in the state’s final budget this summer, SAPEP programs will lose $19.3 million in state monies. This will leave the programs with only $12 million in UC funds that have been budgeted to support the programs.

Last year, of the combined $31.3 million in state and UC monies, MESA received $5.14 million.

MESA Community College Program (MCCP) funds, which are allocated through the California Community College Chancellor’s Office and go directly to the individual campuses, were untouched. However, all MCCP statewide administrative and staffing costs are paid through state and UC funds.

“We’re hopeful that the legislature will once again prevail and reinstate our state funds in the final budget,” said MESA Executive Director Oscar Porter. He noted that while MESA managed to leverage over $6.05 million in private, federal and foundation dollars, these monies mostly are earmarked for special projects and do not pay for ongoing infrastructure costs such as staffing, offices and supplies.

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