CSUs Facing Budget Deficits, Cuts On the Way

Written By Evolve California

Sonoma State University is slashing its budget by $25 million, cutting entire degree programs, academic departments, and all Division II athletics. These cuts will diminish student quality of life, which will only cause enrollment to further decline.  Sonoma State isn’t the only one:  in the Bay Area alone, many California State University campuses are facing budget deficits in the face of declining enrollment and state funding. Our state can and should prevent these cuts with more state funding, but instead they are doing the opposite. The CSU system is in fact reallocating funds away from campuses that don’t meet enrollment goals, instead of supporting our affordable state universities in their purpose of increasing accessibility and affordability in education.

CSUs are a more affordable option for many California students who don’t have the resources to attend high sticker price schools. They are vital to increasing educational equity across our state! These program cuts are taking away the resources and programs that make CSUs unique and better options for students than other schools, be it the Estuary and Ocean Science Center, satellite campuses, or sports programs. These budget cuts are only making CSUs less accessible and less appealing to students. Prop. 13 reform is sorely needed not only for K-12 education, but also to ensure higher education is somewhat affordable and that students can get what they want out of their degree.

Gina Castro / KQED

Evolve California
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