The budget proposed in early January by Governor Schwarzenegger will not close the current deficit held by the California State University system, although it allocates the restoration of $305 million in General Funds, which had been cut last year.
"Over the last two years we've been cut by about $625 million and that [$305 million] covers only about a half of that," said CSU spokesperson Claudia Keith.
Schwarzenegger's budget also gives the CSU an additional $60.6 million for enrollment growth depending upon the amount of federal funding received by the state.
According to Keith, any money the CSU receives for enrollment growth could be spent on more classes and professors as well as any other service aimed at increasing student enrollment.
SF State and CSU officials are not expecting to receive the $60.6 million for enrollment growth.
"Conventional wisdom says a lot of what [the governor] is proposing will not happen," said SF State President, Robert A. Corrigan, in a university budget meeting held early Friday. "The money he is proposing to get from the federal government we are already hearing from the feds that they are not going to supply."
In the past, SF State has attempted to cover the budget gap by raising student fees much to the dismay of students. Another 10 percent fee increase is planned for the fall 2011 semester and has been built into the governor's proposed budget.
"I came into school last year with such a negative attitude about our school and the budget cuts," explained frustrated 19-year old sophomore and liberal studies major Sarah Mccabe while she grabbed coffee at Cafe Rosso between classes. "I don't feel I'm getting a quality education for what I am paying."
A second increase of 10 percent had been proposed to the CSU Board of Trustees, but they have not shown support for the idea and are at this time not considering it as a possible course of action.
For students like Lauren Thomas, a 19-year old hospitality management sophomore, who works off campus to pay her own tuition, any increase in fees means she has to work more hours.
"I wish I had more time to dedicate to my studies," said Thomas. "Half of my friends are leaving because they can't afford it. I feel like San Francisco State is one of the colleges feeling the cuts the hardest."
Alex Martini, a 25-year old senior humanities major, has also had to take on more hours at his job as a certified massage therapist and delay his graduation due to his inability to get into two Asian studies classes and a required math course.
"I don't agree with [a fee increase]," said Martini. "We pay enough as it is. I think it's unfair to the students even though it may help the school out. [A raise in tuition] puts so much pressure on students when they should be trying to concentrate on school."
The budget proposal outlined by the governor on Jan. 18th must be voted on by the California State Legislature and does not guarantee any money to the CSU.
Included in the $305 million the governor proposed to restore is $255 million, which the governor took from the CSU last year and had promised to return. There is then $50 million that the legislature took in one-time cuts but did not say it would replace. This means that the legislature can grant the CSU only $255 million rather than the governor's proposed $305 million.
The CSU and the UC are the only programs that would receive funding under the governor's proposed budget.
"We're walking around with a target on our back," said Corrigan. "All other programs are taking cuts."
However, the CSU system remains hopeful it will receive some much-needed funding in the upcoming year despite the fact that the governor's budget proposal is only the beginning of what is expected to be a very long journey.
"We applaud the fact that [Schwarzenegger] is considering higher education a priority," said Keith. "It's a long process. We are just starting down that road but we are hopeful about working with the legislature to get the budget through."
It is estimated that the budget will not be passed until August or September, well into the fiscal year.
CSU officials say it is too early to determine how any money they receive from the state will be spent or divided among the CSU campuses.
"Right now we're just looking at getting the money from the one time cuts," said Erik Fallis, a representative from the chancellors' office. "It's not a done deal, the governor's proposed budget is only an early indicator of where he is hoping to go."
According to Fallis, funding is generally divided amongst the CSUs based on various factors such as student body size and future enrollment estimates.
CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed remarked Monday Jan. 18th that the CSUs "are still faced with challenging circumstances and it will be a slow process as we seek to return to financial stability. This budget will help start us on that path."
