Atkinson: UC's Employees 'Quite Remarkable'

UC editors interviewed President Richard Atkinson prior to his Oct. 1 retirement to ask his opinions on current issues and his future plans. An abridged report follows. A link to Atkinson's official farewell remarks is at <http://www.ucop.edu/pres/speeches/
farewellremarks.html>.

I think we have been through cycles like this before, and if you look at the history of the University, we have always managed to survive the cycle and usually come out much stronger. One has to worry about how deep the problems are in the state and how long this will continue. The current year's budget, which is based on the state borrowing $10 billion, we can't re-create that budget next year, so the Legislature is going to have to deal with some very tough issues.

There are going to have be some tax increases, in my judgment, along with further reductions in the budget. But I do believe the economy is coming back. In the interim, we have to worry that we don't do any deep damage to the University.

Are enrollments going to be cut, given that the Legislature has said it will not provide more money for enrollment growth next year?

If we really had to cut enrollments it would be very disturbing to me....These young people (have) prepared for college for three to four years, and to break that promise to them would be terrible.

There are very serious budget problems ahead of us, but we have some flexibility. Fees, for example. We are at least $1,800 to $2,000 behind our competitor institutions in the fees we charge....In the end, if it comes to denying students access instead, the choice may well be a fee increase.

As the gap between UC wages for faculty and staff and pay at comparable institutions continues to widen, what's the argument for staying with UC?

The employees of the University have been really quite remarkable. They are very dedicated, and they work very hard–and I say that with no reservations. I think that they believe in the University and recognize that in many ways we are a great employer. Because of the state budget situation, our salaries have lagged, as they have for state employees. I hope that can be turned around.

I think you also have to take into account that no one has contributed to the retirement plan in years, and that we have such a strong retirement plan. It's also important to remember that we've maintained excellent health benefits and professional development opportunities.

What are you going to do now?

I plan to resume my life in the academic world, and sometimes I will have comments on higher education issues, but I don't plan to spend the rest of my life critiquing higher education or UC.