SEASIDE -- State Assemblyman Simón Salinas spoke Friday at California State University, Monterey Bay, about the possible elimination of the Educational Opportunity Program as part of state budget cuts.

Salinas, who discussed the issue with CSUMB President Peter Smith, said he's encouraged students and community members to express their concerns to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger by sending e-mails, signing petitions and mailing letters.

"The universities should be able to decide what programs to terminate, not anyone else," he said.

Established in 1968, the Educational Opportunity Program has served more than 300,000 students, and more than 45,000 pupils are being served in the 2003-2004 school year. Five-hundred-forty-six of them now attend CSUMB.

The program was designed to help students of low-income families make the transition from high school to college. It provides grants and educational assistance to economically disadvantaged students who've demonstrated potential for success at the California state colleges.

"We know that this program serves as a tap root of opportunity," Smith said. "Why would anyone want to stop it?"

Due to the budget crisis, the CSU system is concerned about the possible elimination of the program and others that serve low-income students.

Patricia Patton, a third-year student at CSUMB, said many high school students and community college students likely wouldn't have had the chance to transfer to the CSU system without the program.

"They just don't give us financial aid," Patton said. "They guide us through our college years and never let students drown."