FACULTY AND STAFF
Dear Colleagues,
The historic election concludes a long and hard fought series
of political contests. However, we all recognize that the economic and
political circumstances facing our country, our state, and our campus
remain daunting. The inadequacies of the state budget have already
threatened the cancellation of numerous courses planned for this spring.
At the same time, we brace for yet another budget cut as the potential
result of the governor and legislature reopening the 2008-2009 budget in
light of the state's revenue shortfall. And finally, no one is predicting
that the 2009-2010 budget cycle will be any better for the CSU.
There is simply no question that the quality of our academic program is in
serious jeopardy and that we will need sustained and unified advocacy to
defend public higher education in our state. There are dedicated faculty,
administrators, and staff who are working hard to prevent the further
erosion of our state resources and they will need your help in the coming
weeks and months. We recognize the frustration that is generated by the
seemingly endless call to do more with less, but if we join the budget
dialogue insightfully and productively we can, as we did last spring, make
a substantial difference.
There are a few things that you can do right now:
Join the Alliance for the CSU
Contribute stories that illustrate the impact of budget cuts on
your program and students to Buckley Barrett of the Statewide Academic
Senate (bbarett@csusb.edu) and Alice Sunshine of the California Faculty
Association (cutshaveconsequences@calfac.org). These stories will be
included in a CSU report being sent to the California Legislature.
Email local newspaper editors in response to their stories on the
budget crisis.
Encourage your students who are feeling the effect of these budget
cuts to share their stories with the Alliance, Buckley Barrett, and Alice
Sunshine.
We face a difficult political task but with unity and engagement we can
win critical victories for public higher education in California.
Shawn Whalen, Chair Ramon Castellblanch, President
Academic Senate CFA, SF State Chapter
Latest Message to Campus Community...January 9 - Chancellor Reeds Message to Faculty and Staff Regarding Cost Saving Measures
The governor released a summary of his 2009-10 budget proposal on December 31, 2008. This early notification, made in advance of the formal budget that is being released today, underscores the urgent nature of the state’s economic downturn and the necessity of immediate action by the governor and the legislature to shore up the state’s finances to maintain statewide operations...Read the full text of the message. |
