This time around organizers, which includes our own Associated Students Inc., aren't just hoping to stop budget cuts. They're also campaigning to ensure the Cal State University system actually gets an increase in funding.
According to CSU Bakersfield, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposed 2010-11 budget restores $305 million to the CSU system that was cut for 2009-10. The proposal also includes an additional $60.6 million for CSU enrollment growth.
"This is the first time we got a proposal like that in years, and not to take advantage of this opportunity…would be irresponsible on our part," said Chris Chavez, ASI president.
However, California is still dealing with a 12.3 percent unemployment rate, which is one of the highest in the nation.
This begs the question: How could the state pay for an increase in CSU funding? Especially when it faces a deficit for the 2010-11 fiscal year.
According to CSU Bakersfield, the governor plans to deal with the deficit by implementing "a variety of [budget] cuts and shifts in spending, many of which will start in the current fiscal year. But he vowed to protect education saying it was the state's best way to invest in the future."
In other words, the governor is passing the buck from the CSU to someone else when it comes to getting their funding cut. That's acceptable for Chavez and, perhaps, other CSU supporters.
After calling the situation "unfortunate," Chavez said "the CSU can’t take the brunt of the impact anymore. We've been getting cut after cut after cut for the last several years."
Chavez said that one area the governor's proposal focuses on for budget cuts is the department of health and human services.
"It's unfortunate. At the same time we need support," he said.
Chavez added that chances are slim the CSU receives everything the governor has proposed, but that ASI needs to try to get as much funding for the CSU as it can.
Photo info: Protestors show their opposition to the budget cuts in front of the Office of the Chancellor, Nov. 18, 2008
Photo credit: Chay Chhuon, Daily 49er
