Act Now

The California State University is facing one of the greatest challenges in its history. Governor Schwarzenegger has proposed a series of budget cuts to the system to address the state’s estimated $24.3 billion deficit. The latest proposal would reduce CSU’s budget as much as $785 million over a two-year period.

What does this mean for CSU?

The CSU system will be forced to make very hard decisions in response to the cuts.

What are the next steps?

CSU Chancellor Reed has indicated his intent to develop an action plan in consultation with the campus presidents and the CSU Board of Trustees by the middle of June with two goals: continue to serve students as best we can and protect as many jobs as possible.

Additionally, CSU has asked the legislature to consider:

• Approving the CSU capital outlay budget proposed by the Governor for lease-revenue bonds for the CSU projects, including Sacramento State’s Science II. The CSU capital outlay projects will generate 3,500 jobs, including more than 1,000 for Science II; 
• Finalizing any reductions quickly – the longer we wait the harder these cuts will be on students, faculty and staff; and
• Granting flexibility by making the cuts “unallocated,” which would allow the system to save critical programs such as the Early Assessment Program that identifies eleventh-graders in need of additional work for college success.

What can you do?

Write your legislator today. Urge them to (1) protect the CSU as much as possible for students and the future; (2) maintain flexibility in implementing their final actions; and (3) support job creation by supporting the capital outlay projects through lease revenue bonds.  

Sincerely,

Alexander Gonzalez
President