May Budget Revise: Critical for CSU Faculty and Students

By May 14, Governor Gavin Newsom will have released the May Revision of California’s 2025–26 state budget—a critical update that will shape the financial landscape for the CSU system. This revision is particularly significant for faculty, staff, and students, as it will determine funding allocations to the CSU. CSU management has used the specter of a state budget shortfall to severely and prematurely cut programs and initiate layoffs for the better part of a year.

Last year, the final budget for 2024-25 included a $75 million one-time base reduction to the state’s allocation to the CSU. These adjustments have led to financial strain across campuses, and CSU administrators have used fear and uncertainty around state funding to motivate austerity cuts that disproportionately affect faculty and students, rather than cutting from less-critical operations, like engagement with outside consulting firms. At CFA’s recent Lobby Day, members met with lawmakers at the State Capitol, shared how CSU management’s austerity campaign has hurt public education, and called on them to oppose the Governor’s proposed cuts. 

The impact on students is not just limited to direct cuts to the CSU’s funding. Newsom also cut funding for the Middle Class Scholarship program, which provides scholarships to hundreds of thousands of students at the CSU and UC. The program now faces a $500 million reduction over the next two years.

These cuts from the state compound the impact of decisions by CSU management, such as the CSU Board of Trustees’ 2023 approval to CSU tuition by 6 percent each year for five years, and the simultaneous continuation of austerity cuts across several CSU campuses.” Such decisions on management’s part have already limited access at the CSU, and would be worsened by disinvestment by the Governor in turn.”

The upcoming May Revision will be a decisive factor in addressing these challenges. Faculty and students alike should stay informed and engaged, as the outcomes will directly affect academic programs, employment conditions, and the overall quality of education within the CSU system. Please sign our petition urging Newsom to reverse the January Budget Proposal to cut funding for the CSU.