Chancellor Reed, California State University Fresno issued this statement today regarding the proposed 2011-12 state budget:
"This budget is a great disappointment for the California
State University. It is a shame that the legislature was unable to
reach a compromise that would have kept taxes at current levels and prevented
further massive cuts to the public’s universities.
This
budget will cut the CSU by at least $650 million - nearly one-fourth of state
operating support - and the effects will be felt throughout our 23 campuses
and among our 412,000 students. The proposed 'trigger cut' of another
$100 million is especially problematic because the trigger won’t be
pulled until classes for our last semester of the fiscal year have already
started and it is too late for campuses to respond in any practical
way. This makes it impossible to plan and carry out our mission with
any stability.
If the
trigger is pulled, our cut will total $750 million. State support for
the CSU will be at its lowest level in 14 years, even though we currently
serve 90,000 more students. California’s economy cannot fully
recover, nor can its future promise be fulfilled, by starving its
universities."
Kimberly Hughes
SSS Program Assistant/WESTOP Legislative & Education Chair
5241 N Maple Avenue, TA35
Fresno, CA 93740-8027
559-278-5725 work/559-470-5782 cell
559-278-1441 fax
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