Center for California Studies and Special Funds

Center for California Studies, $461,000

The Center for California Studies is a unit of the CSU whose mission is to promote understanding of and effective participation in the political and policy processes that govern the state of California. Central to this mission is the administration of the Assembly, Executive, Judicial, and Senate fellows programs and the LegiSchool Project. The fellows programs provide on-the-job experience on the policy-making process to 64 fellows who are studying California government issues at California State University, Sacramento. At the same time, these students provide valuable services to the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of state government. The LegiSchool Project provides high school students a hands-on opportunity to participate in legislative debates on issues that directly impact them.

Capital Fellows Programs ($438,000)

The Center for California Studies operates as a public education, public service, and applied research office of CSU Sacramento devoted to promoting the understanding of California’s history, cultures, and public policies. As part of its public service responsibilities, the center administers the nationally renowned Capital Fellows programs. The programs include the California Senate Fellows, the Jesse M. Unruh Assembly Fellows Program, the Executive Fellows Program, and the Judicial Fellows Program. Through these programs, 64 fellows are selected to spend a year working with the California legislative, executive, or judicial branches of government. Fellows receive a modest stipend and benefits in exchange for full-time professional work in state government.
The fellows are enrolled as graduate students (12 units) at CSU Sacramento and participate in a carefully planned educational program built around their governmental experience.

The four fellows programs provide the state legislature, executive branch, and judiciary with individuals that have proven academic and professional achievements, knowledge of California government, and a strong commitment to both public and community service. Fellows serve an 11-month term, providing staff assistance in the state capitol offices of legislators and legislative committees; executive branch agencies, departments, boards, commissions, and constitutional offices; and the California Judicial Council, the California Administrative Office of the Courts, and consolidated county courts.

The direct costs of the Capital Fellows programs consist of stipends, benefits, and student fees for the 64 fellows. There are also operating expenditures associated with administering the program. Since the fellowship programs began, an agreement between the CSU and the California Department of Finance resulted in calculation of the fellowship programs’ operating expenditures budget at 15 percent of the direct costs. The Center for California Studies 2005/06 budget request includes a $438,000 increase for Capital Fellows programs direct and operating costs.

Stipend changes are due to a 4.8 percent increase to comply with U.S. Department of Labor regulations (White Collar Exemption Guidelines, Department of Labor, Wage & Hours Division, 29 CFR Part 541, “Defining and Delimiting the Exemptions for Executive, Administrative, Professional, Outside Sales & Computer Employees; Final Rule”). Under these regulations, fellows would have to be considered non-exempt employees and thus subject to overtime timekeeping and pay. The nature of the offices in which fellows are placed would make timekeeping impossible and overtime pay exorbitant. A 4.8 percent increase ($63,000) would allow fellows to continue as exempt employees.

Further, the cost of benefits has increased since 2002/03, and the Center for California Studies requests that the ratio of benefits to salaries be recognized at 24 percent in 2005/06 ($93,000) versus the benefits to salaries ratio of 18 percent used since 2002/03. Also, the associated operating expenses (15 percent of direct costs) has increased ($30,000), and the cost to cover required graduate student fees has increased ($43,000). Participants in the four Fellow Programs are enrolled as graduate students at CSU Sacramento. The fellows program budgets have always included funds to pay required graduate student fees that for the 2004/05 spring semester is $1,655, whereas only $982 has been funded. Therefore, the 2005/06 center budget request includes an additional $673 per fellow to cover the cost of required graduate student fees.

Lastly, the center’s budget allocation was reduced $253,000 in the Governor’s 2003/04 Budget Act. In 2004/05, $91,000 was restored, leaving a funding gap of $162,000. Also, CSU Sacramento was required to fund an additional $88,000 gap to cover 2004/05 center program requirements. The 2005/06 center budget restores the $162,000 and $88,000 funding gaps, most of which is directed to the Capital Fellows programs ($209,000).

Faculty Research Fellows Program

The Center for California Studies also administers the Faculty Research Fellows Program (direct and operating costs are incorporated into the Capital Fellows programs). Since 1994/95, the considerable faculty and staff resources of the CSU have been made accessible to either the executive or legislative branches of California state government through the Faculty Research Fellows Program.

The Faculty Research Fellows Program provides for directed faculty and staff research, such as research papers requested by the legislature and/or executive branch agencies, organizing and participating in conferences, seminars, symposiums, and similar public services activities.
The direct costs of administering the Faculty Research Fellows Program are grants awarded to the researching faculty or staff. Indirect costs are calculated at 20 percent of direct costs and cover the cost of administering the program and publishing research results.

LegiSchool Project ($12,500)

The LegiSchool Project administered by the center was developed in 1994 as an educational collaboration between CSU Sacramento and the California legislature. LegiSchool is an issues-oriented civics curriculum designed to engage students in discussions about genuine problems facing the state, encourage critical thinking skills, and promote the knowledge necessary for effective citizenship. The mission of LegiSchool is to promote citizenship in schools by creating opportunities for high school students to participate in debates with state leaders concerning the problems affecting California citizens. By focusing on issues that directly impact students, LegiSchool activities and study materials increase students’ interest.

LegiSchool curriculum material consists of a unique tape library and related materials. Each “package” in this library contains videotaped footage of committee hearings, public testimony, and floor debates associated with particular bills recently debated in the legislature, along with articles, press clippings, reports, and editorials on matters related to the bills. Another element of the project is an ongoing series of interactive, televised town hall meetings and press conferences in which state government officials and high school students meet face-to-face to discuss current issues and legislation. These meeting are broadcast live from the state capitol by the California Channel, which enables students and other interested citizens throughout the state to participate in the discussion. Comprehensive study packets are available for classroom use before and after each televised event.

Prior to fiscal year 1999/2000, the assembly and senate provided funding for the LegiSchool Project through interagency agreements with CSU Sacramento. In fiscal year 1999/2000, $125,000 was included in the CSU Sacramento budget for the LegiSchool Project, and in fiscal year 2000/01, funding was transferred to the center budget to cover direct and administrative costs of the project. In 2002/03, the LegiSchool budget was reduced to $112,500 from $125,000. The 2005/06 budget request restores LegiSchool funding to $125,000.

Sacramento Semester Internship Program ($6,000)

The Sacramento Semester Program is an undergraduate internship program of CSU Sacramento, which each spring semester places students in a variety of state government and legislative internship positions in Sacramento. Participants earn six units in internship credit plus six units in an accompanying seminar course in state government and politics, which allows participants to integrate their practical internship experience with academic work. The Sacramento Semester Program is open to students from throughout the CSU as well as other universities. Typically, many alumni of the Sacramento Semester Program apply to a Capital Fellows program once they graduate. Participation in the program has declined in recent years. Again, the data indicate the decline is a function of economics. Most CSU students pay for their education by holding part- or full-time employment. Participating in the Sacramento Semester Program thus demands that students not only move to Sacramento, but also abandon the very jobs that allow them to attend the university. The funding provides financial aid to 15 Sacramento Semester students each year, totaling $3,600 each (i.e., an amount approximating the fees and room and board for one semester at CSU Sacramento). This enables more students of limited economic resources to participate in the Sacramento Semester Program and, in turn, creates a larger pool for Capital Fellows program applicants in the future. Administrative overhead is included and calculated at 15 percent. In 2002/03, the Sacramento Semester Program was reduced to $56,000 from $62,000. The 2005/06 budget request restores Sacramento Semester Internship Program funding level to $62,000.

2005/06 Budget Request Summary

The following table summarizes the Center for California Studies 2005/06 budget request and increase above the 2004/05 final budget. The $461,000 2005/06 budget increase is comprised of changes for the Capital Fellows programs ($438,000), LegiSchool Project ($12,500), Sacramento Semester Internship Program ($6,000), and Center for California–other ($4,500).

Special Funds - Auxiliary Programs

Auxiliary organizations are separate legal entities authorized in the Education Code to provide essential services to students and employees. They operate in association with campuses pursuant to special written agreements and are authorized to perform specific functions that contribute to the educational mission of the campus.

CSU auxiliary organizations have been in existence for many decades as a necessary supplement to state-supported instructional and administrative activities. The first organization, the Fresno State College Association, was established in 1922. Student associations have operated at San José, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Chico, Fresno, and other campuses since the early 1920s. The growth of auxiliary organizations has paralleled the growth in size and complexity of the CSU.

These organizations are subject to applicable state and federal laws and regulations. In addition, they operate within the policies established by the CSU Board of Trustees, the chancellor, and the campuses. As of the beginning of the 2004 fall term, there were 86 auxiliary organizations, with one to five per campus, and three systemwide auxiliary organizations. Most of these organizations can be grouped into five major functional categories:

1. Associated Student Body Organizations: These are student-run organizations that operate such extracurricular activities as student government, student newspapers, athletics, cultural programs, and many other student activities related to the overall educational mission of the campus.
   
   
2. Special Educational Projects: These organizations administer projects that have a direct relationship to the educational process of the campuses and are funded by numerous sources. Major sources of support come from federal, state, and private grants and contracts. Projects are designed to meet the needs of the program sponsor and campus programs.
   
   
3. Student Union Operations: Student union fees collected by the campus are deposited in the Dormitory Revenue Fund Union account to pay for the principal, interest, and other costs of the building. Any surpluses remaining from the student union fees after the bond and other costs are met may become available to the student union auxiliary organization to pay operating expenses.
   
   
4. Commercial Activities: These activities consist of monthly operation of bookstores, food service, and agricultural projects. Agrarian activities are particularly important to campuses offering instruction involving direct experience with farms, cattle, poultry, etc.
   
   
5. Development Activities: These organizations primarily administer programs related to the management of gifts, bequests, devices, endowments, trusts, and similar funds, as well as programs related to public relations, fundraising, fund management, and similar development programs.

The auxiliary organizations must be self-supporting. They do not receive funding from General Fund sources. They derive revenue from various non-state sources such as contractual arrangements (e.g., federal government), general assessments (e.g., student body fees), and commercial operations (e.g., bookstores). Pursuant to existing laws and policies, the materials, facilities, and services provided by the campus to these separate entities are paid for by the auxiliary organization. Revenue in excess of expenditures for a given period is used to establish working capital and reserves, and to pay for capital expenditures or special campus programs.

All auxiliary organization financial activity is reported yearly. Financial reports are audited annually and later incorporated in the systemwide CSU audited financial statements.

Special Funds - Parking Program

The parking program provides campus parking facilities as authorized under the provisions of Section 89701 of the Education Code. The program itself is self-supporting and derives most of its revenues from parking fees paid by students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Additional income is available from interest on retained earnings. Consistent with CSU objectives for increased accountability at the campus levels, management of all operations of the parking program is decentralized to the campus level. Parking fee revenue is deposited by campus to a campus specific parking fund, and campuses have the authority to expend those funds directly. Campus spending of the parking fee revenue is restricted to the acquisition, construction, and maintenance of campus parking facilities. Revenues for 2005/06 are projected to be $64.8 million. The projected revenue will be sufficient to cover operating expenditures as well as transfers for debt service payments of bond principal and interest.

To facilitate the trustees’ policy of providing adequate parking throughout the system at the lowest possible fee, every effort is made to minimize operating costs. The 2005/06 proposed budget incorporates reimbursements to the General Fund for supervising and dispatching services provided by the campuses. Expenditures relating to utilities, communications, and support services provided by the General Fund are reflected as direct or indirect costs, as appropriate.

The California State University had a total of 135,700 temporary and permanent spaces as of July 1, 2004. By the end of 2005/06, the projected total number of usable parking spaces is 146,294.

Special Funds - Housing Program

The housing program at the CSU provides residential facilities for students.

The State Dormitory Construction Fund was established under the State Revenue Bond Act of 1947, and bonds were initially sold to support the construction of campus housing facilities. In 1957, the legislature approved a residence hall program, which was financed by both state and federal funds. Today the Housing Program is a self-supporting program deriving its revenues primarily from fees collected for the use of the residence facilities. Funds are used for current operating expenses, maintenance and repair, improvements to facilities, and interest and principal payments on outstanding bonds. After payment of all authorized charges, the balances in any of these funds remain available for future program expenses.

The 2005/06 Dormitory Revenue Fund system housing design capacity at the CSU is projected to total 31,478 spaces.

The total projected revenue for fiscal year 2005/06 provides approximately $156.7 million for housing operations. From this amount, approximately $41.5 million is used for debt service for payments of principal and interest on revenue bonds issued to finance construction of student housing and major renovations.

Special Funds - Extended and Continuing Education

CSU campuses have maintained Extended and Continuing Education (self-support) courses, programs, and services for over a century. Originally grounded in service to teachers, Extended and Continuing Education operations have grown to include baccalaureate and graduate degree programs and certificates, and many forms of specialized education and training for business, industry, and government. A variety of instructional technologies including television and Web-based learning carry CSU courses to local, regional, and national audiences.

Extended and Continuing Education programming is authorized in Section 89704 of the Education Code. In accordance with Education Code Sections 89704 and 89721(i), revenue collected from extended education and special session fees may be deposited either in the State University Continuing Education Revenue Fund (CERF) in the state treasury or in a local trust account. While the character and composition of campus Extended and Continuing Education programs vary considerably, most units maintain the following common instructional elements: (1) Special Sessions; (2) Open University/ Concurrent Enrollment; (3) Extension Operations; and (4) Non-Credit.

Systemwide self-supporting operations are governed and encouraged by the CSU Board-authorized Commission on the Extended University.

Campus CERF and trust ledgers had a cumulative balance of $56.3 million at the close of operations on June 30, 2004.