Good news, bad news...
MAY BUDGET REVISION: $97.6 MILLION RESTORED TO CSU BUDGET
Governor softens stance on planned cuts to Cal. State University funding; the fight for funding now moves to the state legislature
Supporters intend to build on the Gov’s first step towards fully funding public higher education
Today Gov. Schwarzenegger made public his revised plan for the 2008/09 state budget. The May revise proposes to add back $97.6 million in state funding to the CSU, reducing the proposed budget cuts from $386 to $288 million.
“The governor’s revised budget plan is a step in the right direction toward adequately funding our state university system,” said CFA President Lillian Taiz.
Taiz continued, “Now the supporters of the CSU must ramp up our efforts to get the remainder of the necessary CSU funding in the budget by taking our message to the state Legislature. We are hopeful that the members of the Legislature will continue the Governor’s step in the right direction by fully funding public higher education.
“I want to acknowledge all those who have participated in our advocacy efforts with the Alliance for the CSU up to this point and ask them to continue to be vigilant until all $386 million dollars is restored.”
In a press release sent out this afternoon, CSU Chancellor Charles Reed echoed Taiz’ praise of the Alliance saying:
“I am particularly pleased with the tremendous collaboration of students, faculty, staff, administrators and alumni who under the Alliance for the CSU, have advocated for full funding for the university system. Their demonstrations at each of our 23 campuses and at the state capitol have highlighted the value of higher education for the economy of our state.“Still much can happen between now and the day when the legislature and the Governor adopt the final budget. So, we must continue our advocacy in this unprecedented collaborative way for the sake of higher education and California’s future.”
See the governor’s proposed budget docs at: http://www.ebudget.ca.gov
See his revised budget plan for the CSU at: http://www.ebudget.ca.gov/pdf/Revised/BudgetSummary/HigherEducation.pdf
TRUSTEES VOTE TO INCREASE STUDENT FEES
Earlier in the day, the CSU Board of Trustees voted to increase undergraduate student fees for the upcoming academic year by 10%.
Members of the committee passed the measure – which will result in fees having doubled since 2001 – over the objections of Lt. Gov. John Garamendi, Trustee Melinda Guzman and student Trustee Jennifer Reimer.
CFA Vice President Kim Gerón addressed the Trustees on the fee increase saying, ”This student fee increase could not come at a worse time for struggling California families. The costs of housing, healthcare, food, and gasoline are rising unchecked.” Gerón continued, “When combined with these ‘educational fee increases,’ working class families will be denied the very educational path that could lift them out of economic stress. The most effective form of financial aid for California would be to fully fund the CSU budget to help reverse the current economic downturn for all the citizens of the state.”
Governor softens stance on planned cuts to Cal. State University funding; the fight for funding now moves to the state legislature
Supporters intend to build on the Gov’s first step towards fully funding public higher education
Today Gov. Schwarzenegger made public his revised plan for the 2008/09 state budget. The May revise proposes to add back $97.6 million in state funding to the CSU, reducing the proposed budget cuts from $386 to $288 million.
“The governor’s revised budget plan is a step in the right direction toward adequately funding our state university system,” said CFA President Lillian Taiz.
Taiz continued, “Now the supporters of the CSU must ramp up our efforts to get the remainder of the necessary CSU funding in the budget by taking our message to the state Legislature. We are hopeful that the members of the Legislature will continue the Governor’s step in the right direction by fully funding public higher education.
“I want to acknowledge all those who have participated in our advocacy efforts with the Alliance for the CSU up to this point and ask them to continue to be vigilant until all $386 million dollars is restored.”
In a press release sent out this afternoon, CSU Chancellor Charles Reed echoed Taiz’ praise of the Alliance saying:
“I am particularly pleased with the tremendous collaboration of students, faculty, staff, administrators and alumni who under the Alliance for the CSU, have advocated for full funding for the university system. Their demonstrations at each of our 23 campuses and at the state capitol have highlighted the value of higher education for the economy of our state.“Still much can happen between now and the day when the legislature and the Governor adopt the final budget. So, we must continue our advocacy in this unprecedented collaborative way for the sake of higher education and California’s future.”
See the governor’s proposed budget docs at: http://www.ebudget.ca.gov
See his revised budget plan for the CSU at: http://www.ebudget.ca.gov/pdf/Revised/BudgetSummary/HigherEducation.pdf
TRUSTEES VOTE TO INCREASE STUDENT FEES
Earlier in the day, the CSU Board of Trustees voted to increase undergraduate student fees for the upcoming academic year by 10%.
Members of the committee passed the measure – which will result in fees having doubled since 2001 – over the objections of Lt. Gov. John Garamendi, Trustee Melinda Guzman and student Trustee Jennifer Reimer.
CFA Vice President Kim Gerón addressed the Trustees on the fee increase saying, ”This student fee increase could not come at a worse time for struggling California families. The costs of housing, healthcare, food, and gasoline are rising unchecked.” Gerón continued, “When combined with these ‘educational fee increases,’ working class families will be denied the very educational path that could lift them out of economic stress. The most effective form of financial aid for California would be to fully fund the CSU budget to help reverse the current economic downturn for all the citizens of the state.”
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