Spring/Summer 2010
Since our statewide office is located in the University of California Office of the President, many people assume that MESA is a program of the University.
In fact, MESA receives its state funding through two important funding streams.
MESA receives part of its funding through a UC category called Student Academic Preparation and Educational Partnerships (SAPEP). SAPEP provide funds for MESA's pre-college program and MESA's university-level engineering and computer science program, as well as other UC projects.
In addition, SAPEP funds the MESA statewide office which directs the pre-college, community college and university-level programs; provides development and communications services; and conducts data-gathering activities. In FY 2009-10, MESA received $4.92 million from SAPEP (this funding includes a mandated supplement through UC).
MESA also receives state funding through the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office (CCCCO) from a funding category called the Fund for Student Success (FSS). These monies go directly from the CCCCO to MESA's community college centers. In FY 2009-10, MESA received $1.49 million from FSS to fund 30 of these centers. The FSS also funds other California Community Colleges programs that support educationally disadvantaged students.
BOTH SAPEP AND FSS FUNDING STREAMS ARE CRITICAL TO MESA'S ABILITY TO OFFER ACADEMIC SUPPORT in math, science and engineering along the educational pathway. MESA's ability to intervene at all levels of education means that our students have a better chance of staying on course to graduate. It also means that students can reach out to MESA at critical points throughout their academic careers when they need support the most. MESA graduates, with their degrees in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), become the professional workforce that will keep California's economy strong and competitive.
SAPEP and FSS have enabled MESA—through individual centers as well as the statewide office—to leverage its state monies to obtain millions of additional dollars from private, foundation and federal sources to fund projects and scholarships. For instance, East Los Angeles College has brought in over $4 million to augment the $51,000 in state funding it receives through FSS.
BUT MESA'S FUNDING, PARTICULARLY THE FSS BUDGET, IS IN JEOPARDY. At the time of this writing, the governor has proposed to transform the FSS into a fund pool where community college districts have the option to either implement the programs it was originally intended for (including MESA), or use it for general operations.
This budget uncertainty would destabilize the ability to leverage state dollars for additional funds. It also would jeopardize the phenomenal transfer rate that MESA has managed to attain. Currently, of all the MESA community college students who transfer to four-year institutions, 100% go on as STEM majors.
Certainly, in the period of budget downsizing, all parts of California must accept a reasonable level of fund reductions. However, last year MESA's FSS budget was reduced by 38%, and since 2002, MESA's SAPEP funding was cut by 55%, which virtually terminated all monies to the MESA Engineering Program. Preparing students for college is not enough. We must see them through the completion of the baccalaureate degree and beyond into their careers. Reducing support for MEP and now MCCP seriously erodes the state's ability to produce the next generation of STEM professionals it must have.
OUR GOAL TODAY IS TO MAINTAIN OUR PROGRAMS AT CURRENT LEVEL IN THE HOPE THAT WE CAN GROW THEM BACK WHEN CALIFORNIA'S BUDGET SITUATION IMPROVES. We know how to expand MESA to serve more students without sacrificing its quality. However, we need core state funding to do the job.
We hope that Sacramento will maintain FSS and SAPEP funding at its current level to help ensure the quality and continuation of the program.
Oscar F. Porter, Executive Director
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