CSU Campuses Host Budget Forums
Students, faculty, administrators, area lawmakers and others will continue to gather this month across the California State University system to highlight the negative impacts that the Governor’s proposed budget cut of $312.9 million for 2008/09 would have on the CSU. In addition, the $73.2 million in General Fund revenue needed to buy out a student fee increase is not included in this year’s proposed budget, creating a combined loss of $386.1 million in state funding for the CSU.
The budget forums are part of an effort to detail the impacts on the CSU’s 23 campuses, and to encourage the entire CSU community to take part in a system-wide effort to urge lawmakers and the governor to restore the funding. The cuts will impact every aspect of the CSU and have a devastating impact on student access. Without the revenue, student fees will likely have to be increased under the proposed budget. The proposed budget also means 10,000 qualified students won’t be able to attend a CSU campus. All of the CSU campuses have closed enrollment for first-time freshmen as of March 1.
The proposed budget cut comes only three years after the CSU budget was reduced by more than $500 million during the 2002-03 and 2004-05 fiscal years. These cuts will erase significant gains made in recent years to increase access for minority and underserved communities. The CSU generates $4.41 in economic activity for every dollar invested. A $300 million reduction in CSU funding translates into a loss of $1 billion in future economic activity in California. Future demand for college graduates outweighs the supply by 6 percent – representing a million graduates.
Meetings will be held across the CSU system throughout the months of March and April as part of the efforts to educate and unite the CSU, local communities, and industries that rely on the CSU. Visit the CSU's Budget Central page for more information on upcoming forums.
New Trustee Appointed by Governor
Margaret Fortune of Sacramento, has been appointed to the CSU Board of Trustees. Earlier this month Fortune was named chief executive officer of Project Pipeline, a Sacramento-based non-profit that credentials public school teachers. Fortune was a senior adviser to California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger from 2006 to 2008. From 2005 to 2006, she served as an education adviser and director of public affairs for the governor. Press Release.
Trustees Hear Analyst’s Recommendations
The CSU Board of Trustees heard an update Wednesday on the Legislative Analyst’s recommendations regarding the governor’s budget proposal during the March Board of Trustees Meeting. Gov. Schwarzenegger has proposed a 10 percent across-the-board reduction in state spending, which equals a $312.9 million reduction for CSU. When combined with the $73.2 million needed to buy out a student fee increase, the total reduction to CSU’s budget is $386.1 million. The trustees were presented with the analyst’s recommendations for an alternative approach that would modify the governor’s budget adjustments for the CSU’s general operating costs, student fees, financial aid and enrollment growth. Read more.
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