ACADEMIC SENATE RESOLUTION

#RS-267

Resolution on San Francisco State University's Response to the proposed budget for CSU

Whereas, the California State University system plays a critical role as an engine of growth and social mobility in California; and

Whereas, quality public higher education is necessary for the personal empowerment and informed citizenry that all Californians rely on; and

Whereas, the California State University graduates nearly 90,000 students into the state’s workforce each year, and provides the majority of the state’s teachers, nurses, business professionals and engineers; and

Whereas, California State University is the major supplier of graduates for California’s workforce, and a powerful engine for the state’s economy, providing a four-fold return for each dollar invested in the system; and

Whereas, the state budget proposed by Governor Schwarzenegger on January 10, 2008 would reduce funding to the California State University by a total of $386 million, which would include a direct cut of $312.9 million, and would fail to fund $73.2 million necessary to avoid raising student fees by 10 percent for the 2008-09 academic year; and

Whereas, the proposed budget will drastically compromise the quality of education by eliminating courses, requiring larger class sizes, reducing campus services, eroding instructional support and research programs, increasing student fees, and other cuts to vital California State University programs serving the state; and

Whereas, the Academic Senate of San Francisco State University, representing more than 30,000 students, faculty, and staff, is greatly concerned about the continued erosion of state support of the California State University, and about the proposed budget cuts, which would undermine the quality of education, limit student access and enrollment, and limit the supply of graduates to California’s workforce; therefore, be it

Resolved, that the Academic Senate of San Francisco State University, in cooperation with our faculty, students, parents, alumni, staff, labor organizations and administrators, join together to express our grave concern that the governor’s budget proposal compromises the accessibility and affordability of public higher education in California; and be it further

Resolved, that the Academic Senate of San Francisco State University implores our state's leaders to recognize the substantial return gained by investment in public higher education and restore the $386 million to the California State University’s budget.

Resolved that the Academic Senate of San Francisco State University distribute this resolution widely to government leaders such as the California State Governor; legislature, Chancellor Reed; CSU Presidents, Provosts, and Academic Senates.

*** Approved by the Academic Senate on May 13, 2008***