State budget center issue for colleges

The proposed state budget, released Monday May 14, has not yet been finalized.

The budget creates further uncertainty around the budget for University of California, California State University, and the California Community College systems next year.

Representatives from the CCC, CSU, and UC system gathered early May to lobby for state funding.

These leaders from three of California’s higher education systems lobbied against further state budget cuts due to the impact it will have on the already struggling colleges.

California Community College

The California Community College system has faced both cuts and a decrease in student enrollment in recent years.

Over $500 million has been cut this year from CCCs, said Dan Troy, Vice Chancellor of College Finance and Facilities Planning of the CCC system.The CCC system is planning to avoid cutting non-transferable career courses and certification programs.

“We are doing what we can to change the budget in a positive way,” said Troy.

In the the 2009 to 2010 academic year, CCCs had a 2.9 million enrollment peak, said Paige Marlatt Dorr, director of communications for the CCC system. However, in the 2010-2011 school year, the system suffered a 2.6 enrollment decrease.

The 2011 to 2012 enrollment is expected to decrease as well in anticipation of more state budget cuts.

University of California

The University of California system has not decided on a specific percentage by which tuition will increase.

Regents will be voting in July, which is when they will be deciding on a figure for the increase.

“There is no definitive number, no definitive plan, right now,” said Shelly Meron, media specialist for the University of California system.

The UC budget is also dependent on the results of November tax initiatives.

“The University of California is aggressively pursuing private funding, and increasing efficiency wherever possible to cut costs,” said Meron.

California State University

The California State University system is still working on integrating strategies to cope with the potential statewide cuts.

“(The cuts) will all be dependent on the campuses,” said Liz Chapin, spokesperson for the CSU system.

Representatives from the 23 campuses will meet July 17 to discuss ways to manage the pending cuts.

“It makes me want to go to a private school...because I’m kind of disgusted with the system,” said student Salim Hanhan.