The economic crisis continues to impact people's lives. In California, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is planning on eliminating Cal grants—the type of grant that most low income families depend on in order to pay for their college tuition.
Now, the California State University system is facing a $584 million budget cut. According to spokesperson for California State University, Claudia Keith, the board of trustees will be meeting on July 21st to discuss employee furloughs, enrollment reductions, and student fee increases. The Los Angeles Times reported that undergraduate fees will rise15-20 percent and that there may be enrollment reductions of 32,000.
Trustees also were briefed about planned enrollment reductions for 2010-2011. Chancellor Reed announced that campuses will be closed for spring 2010 enrollment and will close winter 2010 admissions. Overall, CSU will look to reduce its enrollment by 32,000 students systemwide for 2010-2011 through a combination of enrollment management tools used last fall such as increased grade point averages for out-of-area applicants. read more
For Andy Merrifield, political science professor at Sonoma State University and associate vice president of the California Faculty Association, the cuts impact access. “These cuts will reduce access to thousands of our students, It will affect first generation students,” Merrifield says. “At the end of the day, it will mean the campuses will be smaller and access to education will be denied.”
According to Keith, these increases are not confirmed and the proposal is still being developed. Regardless, Merrifield is troubled. “I don’t want my students to get a college degree just for themselves but for state of California,” Merrifield says. “That’s why we believe the state should keep the fees as low as possible -- because it’s not a private, but a public good.”
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