Act Now

The California State University received good news last week, when Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced his proposed state budget, which restores some funding for the CSU.

The proposal would restore $305 million to the CSU’s 2010-11 budget, as well as provide an additional $60.6 million for enrollment growth. The $305 million restoration is a commitment by the governor to provide funding back to the CSU that was cut on a one-time basis last year. (The proposed funding for enrollment growth is contingent on new federal funds for programs outside of higher education).

Additionally, the governor has recommitted to higher education by proposing a change to the state’s constitution guaranteeing at least 10 percent of the state general fund would be spent on higher education and its students.

We commend the governor for his renewed investment in the CSU. If the Legislature adopts this proposal, it will begin to restore student access to our university. Nonetheless, we still face challenging circumstances and it will be a slow process as we seek to return to financial stability. Over the past two years, we have been forced to implement a number of cost-cutting measures as a result of $625 million in state budget cuts. These reductions have impacted everyone at the CSU and include enrollment cuts, student fee hikes, employee furloughs, layoffs and class reductions.

It will take working together to make the governor’s proposal a reality; the Legislature will also need to make the same commitment to the CSU and higher education. There are still many hurdles we will need to overcome, and this can only be accomplished by your continued advocacy and help. This budget, along with your continued support, will help start us on the path to recovery.

Join Us in Reinvesting in Education

We thank you for your hard work as advocates for the CSU and encourage you to continue making your voices heard as we move to the next step in securing the CSU’s future.

With your help, we can build the case for reinvestment. We will be asking you to contact your local legislators in the next few months to let them know how important reinvesting in the CSU is to the state’s economic recovery.

I encourage you to continue your work as advocates for the CSU and to share this information with others.