Enrollment, Budget and Educational Quality in the CSU
AS-2632-03/FGA/AA - November 13-14, 2003
RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate of the California State University (CSU)
reaffirm its support of the principles contained in its unanimously adopted resolution
AS-2612-03/FGA, Recommended CSU Budget Priority for 2003-2004
(attached), and
endorse the remarks of Senate Chair Robert Cherny that were given at the hearing of the
Assembly Higher Education Committee on September 23, 2003
(attached); and be it further
RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate CSU urge the Chancellor to limit the
enrollment targets for the CSU for 2004-2005 to the number of students fully supported
in the Governor's January Budget; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate CSU urge the Chancellor's Office to work with
the Department of Finance and the Legislative Analyst to redefine "marginal cost"
for enrollment growth in the CSU in a manner that reflects the actual costs of additional
students; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the CSU not increase any enrollment unless such an increase is
funded at an appropriate level based on the new marginal cost; and be it further
RESOLVED: That the CSU devise an admission policy that allows for adjustments in
enrollment that reflect the final state budget for that year.
RATIONALE: For the last decade, the CSU has not received adequate funding
from State revenues and student fees to maintain the quality of education that should
be provided to those attending the CSU. The Chancellor's Office calculated that for
2003-2004, under the Partnership Agreement with the State, the CSU should have received
$12,051 per student. In fact, the CSU received only $10,355 per student—a shortfall
of $1,696 per student. Even the $12,051 represents only a minimum funding agreement. This
shortfall in funding has resulted in overcrowded classes and laboratories, a decline in the
number of tenure/tenure-track faculty, obsolete or broken lab equipment, eroded library
collections and services, deteriorating facilities, and faculty salaries that fall further
and further behind those at comparable institutions. This has been documented in the
"CSU at the Beginning of the 21st Century" report.
Much of this shortfall has been due to using a calculation of marginal cost that is
woefully outdated. Again refer to the 21st Century document, specifically pages
47-49.
APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY - November 13-14, 2003 |
