On Monday Gov. Jerry Brown released his revised budget proposal for the 2011/12 fiscal year. While the governor proposed no new cuts for the California State University or University of California – saying he did not want to outline a “roadmap to destruction” for Republicans – he made it clear that if his plan to extend current tax rates fails, he would be forced to make additional cuts.
The CSU and UC have each already been cut by $500 million in 2011/12. Under an “all cuts” budget both systems could face an additional cut of $500 million. Under such a scenario, administrators in the CSU and UC have stated they would be forced to enact student fee increases of 30% or more.
Moreover, the revised budget plan contains trailer bill language to eliminate a requirement for financial audits that currently must be conducted biennially for each CSU campus. This is a change long sought by CSU Chancellor Reed but opposed by CFA.
The following quote on the Governor’s revised budget plan can be attributed to Kim Geron, Vice President of the California Faculty Association and a professor of Political Science at CSU East Bay.
“The message we heard loud and clear from governor today is that California remains in crisis and that if a deal to place tax extensions on the ballot fails, the California State University will still face an additional $500 million cut.
“If this additional cut goes into effect, it will cripple the ability of an entire generation of college students to get an affordable, accessible and quality education.
“The students who would suffer under these cuts come from blue and red districts alike. The time has come – for both Republicans and Democrats – to stand up for our neighbors, our children and our collective futures and pass a budget that protects California’s public universities.
“Further, the governor’s proposal to eliminate campus-based audits in the CSU has the very real potential to allow a small, correctable problem to balloon and fester into a major, and expensive, one. At this time of economic uncertainty we need more transparency on how state resources are being spent, not less.
“CFA’s leadership and Governmental Relations team look forward to working with the Governor and legislative leaders of both parties to help move California and its higher education institutions forward.”
