News Release
SF State community weighs options for responding to proposed budget cuts by Governor for FY 2008/09
Public forum scheduled for Monday, March 17, at SF State
SAN FRANCISCO, March 13, 2008 -- The future of California’s economy depends upon a robust California State University system that is now threatened by the proposed budget cuts for FY 2008/09, says SF State President Robert A. Corrigan. Governor Schwarzenegger’s proposed 10 percent cut across the board to state-supported programs could reduce student enrollment at a time when the state’s economic growth depends upon an educated workforce.
“It is no exaggeration to say that our state’s future depends in very large measure on the California State University. This is a real economic threat to the best public higher education system in the nation,” Corrigan said.
While final decisions about the FY2008/09 are months away, a coalition of unions, students, University administration and faculty is joining forces to persuade the broader community, including legislators, to protect the public higher education budget. The coalition will hold a public forum March 17 from 12:10 to 1:30 p.m. in SF State’s McKenna Theatre to share information about the impact of California’s budget crisis on the CSU, and specifically SF State, and to prompt an open exchange of ideas on how best to make the case to elected officials for full funding of the CSUs.
“Whatever our final budget, we will be guided by our main principle: to protect students and the academic program to the fullest extent possible. This approach will shape every decision we make,” Corrigan said.
The potential magnitude of cuts may be “devastating,” according to SF State administration analysts. The Governor’s proposed statewide 10 percent budget cut would mean a $386 million reduction to the CSU system, of which $313 million is a reduction in General Fund support and $73 million reflects a cut in funding to keep student fees at their current level, all but guaranteeing a fee hike for CSU.
Corrigan says SF State, faced with a 10 percent cut, would need to significantly reduce services offered to students, and most likely decrease the number of classes offered.
The forum will be held from 12:10 to 1:20 p.m. Monday, March 17 at the McKenna Theatre in the Creative Arts Building at SF State.
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One of the largest campuses in the California State University system, SF State was founded in 1899 and today is a highly diverse, comprehensive, public urban university. SF State is the only master's-level public university serving the counties of San Francisco, San Mateo and Marin. The University enrolls about 30,000 students each year and graduates about 7,000 annually. With nationally acclaimed programs in a range of fields -- from creative writing, cinema and ethnic studies to history, broadcast and biology -- the University's more than 140,000 graduates have contributed to the economic, cultural and civic fabric of San Francisco and beyond. For more information, please visit www.sfsu.edu.
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