Economic Crisis Undermines the
Principles of the Master Plan

AS-2643-04/FGA - March 11-12, 2004

WHEREAS, The State of California is no longer providing the funds needed to guarantee its high school graduates the promises contained in California's Master Plan for Higher Education; and

WHEREAS, In 2003-2004, due to cuts in funding, the California State University (CSU) was unable to enroll 5000 qualified students; and in 2004-2005, further budget reductions will result in denying an additional 20,000 students access to the CSU; and

WHEREAS, California's Master Plan calls for an affordable higher education for the State's qualified high school graduates, but past and proposed increases in student fees threaten to limit their access to the CSU; and

WHEREAS, Budget cuts to the CSU have resulted in the reduction of the number of instructors, closing of numerous sections of classes, increasing class size, eroding vital library services (including book and journal acquisition) and reducing the operating and equipment budgets of all departments and programs throughout the CSU, and these actions lead to the deterioration of the quality of education in the CSU; therefore be it

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate of the California State University note with grave concern that the continuing failure of the State of California to provide adequate funding to the California Community Colleges, the California State University and the University of California undermines the long cherished principles of affordability, access and quality contained in the Master Plan; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate CSU ask the California Legislature to conduct open and public hearings on the impact of the current economic crisis on the Master Plan; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the Academic Senate CSU work with the CSU Chancellor's Office to inform the public, particularly current high school students and their families, of these limitations to higher education that have been imposed on the CSU because of budget cutbacks.

APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY - March 11-12, 2004