Cal State Long Beach President F. King Alexander is dealing with the possibility of a $1 billion reduction in state funding to the Cal State University, but he remains optimistic that California voters will pass three tax extensions to mitigate such a cut.
“I believe once the people of California find out how this will impact them, in police cuts, fire cuts, state park closures, the unemployment rate jumping even higher… [they] will vote to extend [the taxes],” Alexander said.
The CSU currently faces a $500 million reduction in state funding, but may face double if tax extensions are not passed before the 2011-12 academic year.
If voters don’t approve the tax extensions, Alexander said, CSULB would close enrollment for spring 2012 and cut fall 2012 enrollment in half. This amounts to an overall enrollment reduction of 6,000-6,500 students, or about 66 percent.
‘Survival mode’
According to Alexander, the campus is considering as many as seven budget scenarios, taking into account cuts that range from $500 million to $1 billion.
Alexander said that cuts beyond $600 million to $700 million would be considered in the “drastic range.”
The entire CSU-state appropriation for the 2010-11 academic year was about $2.3 billion. A cut of $1 billion would reduce the university’s state funding by as much as 43 percent while also reducing CSULB’s state appropriation by about 42 percent — from $170 million to $98 million. This would likely shift the burden of financial support from the state to the student.
A scenario like this puts CSULB in “survival mode,” Alexander said.
The Daily 49er spoke to Alexander last week to delve into the details.
Recent history
In October 2010, after relatively smaller budget cuts to the CSU, then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger implemented a one-time restoration in funding to California higher education. This one-time restoration resulted in an extra $19 million being distributed to CSULB by the CSU.
Alexander said the $19 million was not used that year, but will be used to mitigate larger cuts to CSULB’s funding during the 2011-12 academic year.
However, this $19 million would not go a long way, Alexander explained. In that case, CSULB would be working with a $49 million cut, taking into account the one-time restoration funding.
The possibilities
Alexander said in addition to the enrollment cut, a large drop in course offerings would result in the elimination of certain non-tenured faculty.
When the president was asked about closing departments, he said, “Everything is on the table.” He also said the CSU might even consider closing smaller campuses.
“We … want you to know what is at stake and that your advocacy matters,” Alexander said in an April email to faculty and staff. “… I urge you to share your concerns with local legislators and officials, parents, neighbors, external audiences, friends and others.”
The Los Angeles Times reported Sunday that 60 percent of those surveyed in an LA Times/USC Dornsife poll support the idea of an election, which gives the option to extend taxes that would bolster the CSU budget.
Disclaimer: The Daily 49er is not responsible for Postings made on www.daily49er.wpengine.com. Persons commenting are solely responsible for Postings made on this website. Persons commenting agree to the Terms of Use of the website. If Postings do not abide by the Rules of Conduct or Posting Regulations as listed in the Postings Policy, the Daily 49er has all rights to delete Postings as it deems necessary. The Daily 49er strongly advises individuals to not abuse their First Amendment rights, and to avoid language suggestive of hate speech. This site also encourages users to make Postings relevant to the article or other Postings.
