New York Times
February 20, 2008
Dear Editor,
The California State University with 23 campuses is the largest and most diverse four-year higher education system in the United States. At least 53% of our CSU students are ethnic minorities (more than twice the national average) and 40% come from households where English is not the primary language.
We CSU faculty, students, and administrators have been experiencing first-hand the reverse in economic mobility reported by the New York Times this week ("Higher Education Gap May Slow Economic Mobility").
The CSU's budget was slashed by more than half a billion dollars in 2003 and 2004. Now, Gov. Schwarzenegger proposes a 10% across-the-board cut in state funding that woule leave our state university $386 million deeper in the hole.
These cuts would directly affect California's economy and people. Campuses already have made application dates earlier to stem enrollment. If the cuts are implemented the CSU will be forced to turn away qualified students, eliminate class offerings, and cut student services that help guide students to graduation. Student fees, which have doubled since 2002, would be raised yet again.
The most disturbing part of this is that we know that college provides a solid path into the middle class – thereby allowing our graduates to contribute more to society, to the economy and to state’s revenues.
In a state like California that depends on innovation to support its economy, cutting the CSU is shooting us all in our collective foot.
We hope that in the coming weeks, the Governor will change his mind about slashing the higher education budget and crushing the hopes of the people of California.
-Lillian Taiz
President, California Faculty Association
Professor of History
Cal State Los Angeles
San Jose Mercury News
January 23, 2008
Dear Editor,
I would like to commend the Mercury News (Editorial, Jan. 21) for illustrating the draconian effect the proposed 10 percent budget cuts would have on public higher education.
As a faculty member at San Jose State University, I see daily that the California State University system hasn't recovered from the half-billion dollars in cuts a few years ago, resulting in larger class sizes, fewer classes and declining access for thousands of California students.
The CSU is the economic engine that drives the California economy, educating the majority of engineers, teachers, nurses, social workers, police and others, and providing the citizens of California with access to the middle class.
For every $1 given to the CSU, the state receives $17 in benefits - due largely to the higher wages earned by graduates and the expanding tax base. I fully realize that our state budget is in crisis. But this notion is preposterous.
I urge other California legislators to join Sen. Abel Maldonado in finding a better way.
-Jonathan P. Karpf
Department of Anthropology
San Jose State University
LOS ANGELES TIMES
August 20, 2007
Dear Editor,
I wonder if the Republicans in the Senate who are pushing for even more cuts in the California budget are aware of the devastating impact those cuts would have.
The California State University, for example, has never recovered from the half-a-billion dollar cut we suffered several years ago. The result has been fewer classes, sky-rocketing tuition, and longer times to graduation.
The CSU needs more money, not less if we are to avoid having to import college-educated workers in the future.
-Susan Meisenhelder
Professor of English
Cal State San Bernardino
SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
August 20, 2007
Dear Editor:
Something is clearly wrong – each year the legislature delays passing a budget and puts the most vulnerable of Californians in economic jeopardy. I am writing in response to the article “State budget pinch puts squeeze on kids, families” that appeared in the Chronicle. When are we going to fix this? It is time for Californians to act more responsibly. Let’s get serious about making good plans for the future and seeing them through.
-John Sarraillé
Professor, CSU Stanislaus
209.634.1904
LOS ANGELES TIMES
Budget
July 23, 2007
Here we go again. California once again reaps the fruit of the misguided super majority requirement to pass a budget. And, once again we get the spectacle of a few politicians stamping their feet until they get their own way—no matter the price to the rest of us.
It is an outrage that a minority party is permitted to hold millions of Californians hostage. Even after members of their own party in the Assembly voted for this budget, even after the Republican governor pressed them to support the agreement, Republican Minority Leader Ackerman has persisted in withholding TWO votes.
It is cowardly to refuse to stand up like grown men and women and tell us what they think should be sacrificed. Which Californians should lose access to public services? Women? Children? The disabled? They force everyone else to bargain in the dark, demanding sacrifices, until somehow enough is cut away to satisfy them.
Requiring a 2/3rds majority for the passage of a state budget is a destructive system and this year’s disgraceful performance should have all of us clamoring for change. Enough of being victimized by the tyranny of the minority!
-Lillian Taiz
President, California Faculty Association
Professor of History, CSU Los Angeles
