SACRAMENTO -- State Legislative Analyst Elizabeth Hill on Monday doubled her funding recommendation for cash-strapped UC Merced, increasing chances the campus will open on time in fall 2005.

Members of Hill's staff said they are confident the University of California at Merced would wisely use the $20 million allotted in Gov. Schwarzenegger's 2004-05 budget proposal.

In February, Hill recommended the campus receive just $10 million because its leaders had not supplied a detailed spending plan. Hill changed her mind after learning the university would spend the extra cash on faculty salaries and recruitment, enrollment services and library start-up.

UC Merced Chancellor Carol Tomlinson-Keasey said she appreciates the recommendation but understands that several things must fall into place for the university to get $20 million. With anything less, UC Merced could not open in 2005, she said.

"We know here that we have spent every penny wisely, that we are pinching it twice before it goes out the door," Tomlinson-Keasey said. "It's very nice [Hill] recognized the importance and the issues of what we're doing." Valley lawmakers who are trying to persuade their colleagues to support funding for UC Merced said the change might sway some legislators struggling with tough budget decisions.

Higher education is on track to take large budget cuts. There is fierce competition to preserve funding for student services, financial aid and outreach programs at all state colleges. UC Merced is also competing for that funding.

"There was some concern over the LAO's recommendation. The LAO [Legislative Analyst's Office] is a well-respected nonpartisan office, and I believe the entire Legislature looks at its recommendations," said Sen. Jeff Denham, a Merced Republican. "This takes away a crutch that somebody would be able to lean on and say, 'This is why I'm not going to be able to support this.' "

Assembly Member Barbara Matthews, a Tracy Democrat, said many lawmakers support UC Merced: "I have gotten every indication from my colleagues they support the campus opening in 2005. We're extremely pleased."

Each year, Hill prepares a report analyzing the governor's proposed budget.

In January, her staff contacted UC Merced leaders to find out how they would spend the $20 million proposed by Schwarzenegger.

According to the state analysis, UC Merced leaders would spend the extra $10 million in these ways:

Hire five faculty members in 2004-05 and 30 in 2005-06. So far, the campus has 25 faculty members on staff.

Hire staff members to process and review student applications and package financial aid offers. The campus plans to enroll 1,000 students -- 900 undergraduate and 100 graduate -- in the 2005-06 academic year.

Buy computer hardware and networking equipment for the library, which is expected to open by summer 2005.