A strong University of California is essential to the state's economic future, UC President Robert Dynes told the Commonwealth Club of California in a March 30 speech in San Francisco.

Addressing one of the state's premier venues for public affairs discussions, Dynes said California's competitiveness in the global economy will depend upon the research innovation, student education, and idea generation provided by UC campuses.

"A lot of us originally came to California because it is the most innovative, creative, risk-taking, diverse society on the planet," Dynes said. "To stay competitive, we must retain that climate. And much of it comes from our universities."

Dynes said that far from stereotypical notions of what goes on in the "ivory tower," UC campuses today are playing a fundamental role in aiding the society around them.

"To me, it's really about what I call 'R, D, and D' — research, development, and delivery to the broader world," Dynes said. "We're here to help solve problems facing our economy and our society, through all the facets of our mission and through all of the technologies, products, medical cures, and agricultural breakthroughs we help create."

Today, as other nations work to enhance their economic infrastructures and California remains challenged by a K-12 school system marked by vast disparities in opportunity, UC must intensify its work in support of the state's economic health, Dynes said.

He said UC must preserve quality, access, and affordability; improve salaries for faculty and staff; boost graduate enrollments that for many years have been roughly flat; expand efforts to improve the teaching of math and science in the public schools; develop a coordinated strategy for the university's international activities; and preserve academic preparation programs that boost the college preparation of students in educationally disadvantaged K-12 schools.

"The future success of California's economy is dependent on the preparation of all students, from all backgrounds and all parts of California, to be active participants in a knowledge-based economy," Dynes said.

An agreement signed with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger last year guaranteed UC a funding increase in the next budget. The Legislature is now studying the governor's 2005-06 budget.

Meanwhile, a recently released study by the California Postsecondary Education Commission shows that faculty at UC are paid less than faculty at comparable institutions — presenting a hurdle to recruiting and retaining new and existing faculty.

The report indicated that UC faculty are paid an average of 9 percent less than at comparable universities and that the average UC salary is $96,944, compared with $105,958 at eight comparable institutions.

A prepared text of Dynes' remarks is at www.universityofcalifornia.edu/president/speeches.html.