Today, Governor Gavin Newsom announced his state budget proposal that includes a $375 million cut in ongoing state funding to the California State University (CSU), equivalent to 7.95%. A funding shortfall of this magnitude will negatively impact academic programming, student services, course offerings and the CSU workforce.
The following statement can be attributed to CSU Chancellor Mildred García:
“We recognize the governor has a difficult task trying to balance the state's budget to meet the needs of all Californians, but we are disappointed to see that he has not reversed the planned 7.95% cut given the state's increased revenues. It will be even more challenging for the CSU to remain California's leading driver of upward social mobility if this proposal is approved.
“The impact of such deep funding cuts will have significant real-world consequences, both in and out of the classroom. Larger class sizes, fewer course offerings and a reduced workforce will hinder students' ability to graduate on time and weaken California's ability to meet its increasing demands for a diverse and highly educated workforce. Communities that thrive on the CSU's investments in student learning, service and local partnerships will struggle if the university system's resources are diminished.
“Despite these challenges, we remain committed to serving our CSU community, but our ability to do so today is more limited than in the past. If state revenues continue to increase as the governor has indicated, we look forward to relief from the budget cut and to having ongoing compact funding restored.
“We will continue to work with the legislature and Governor Newsom to reaffirm that the financial commitment to the CSU not only represents the state's vital investment in our more than 460,000 students and their families, but also in our state, communities and local economies.
“This is a pivotal moment for the CSU, and we need all of our friends, supporters and community leaders to strongly advocate for the funding necessary for the CSU to remain the engine that fuels California's economy, transforms lives and elevates communities across the state."
About the California State University
The California State University is the nation's largest four-year public university system, providing transformational opportunities for upward mobility to more than 460,000 students from all socioeconomic backgrounds. More than half of CSU students are from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds, and more than one-quarter of undergraduates are first-generation college students. Because the CSU's 23 universities provide a high-quality education at an incredible value, they are rated among the best in the nation for promoting social mobility in national college rankings from U.S. News & World Report, the Wall Street Journal and Washington Monthly. The CSU powers California and the nation, sending more than 125,000 career-ready graduates into the workforce each year. In fact, one in every 20 Americans holding a college degree earned it at the CSU. Connect with and learn more about the CSU in the CSU newsroom.