Education Budget Cuts

I read with interest your recent editorials emphasizing the repercussions of the governor’s budget cuts on education and social services in California (“Turning Away the Future” July 28 and “The Shameful Abyss,” Aug. 2). As the President of Cal Poly Pomona, one of the 19 campuses of CSU, I know first-hand the critical impact these budget cuts have had on public higher education. In the last two months, my colleagues and I have found our time and energy consumed in trying to find ways of softening the blow of these tremendous budget reductions.

Based on estimates of Cal Poly’s total share of the approximately $67-million reduction in the governor’s budget for CSU, we estimate that our 1988-89 budget has been reduced by over $3 million, a total reduction of almost 3.6%. How does a $3-million reduction affect our campus? In simple terms, these cuts mean that we will have about $175 less per enrolled student this year. With less money, we cannot purchase all the instructional equipment we need to adequately carry out academic programs. Because of these cuts we will not be able to repair air-conditioners in one of our classroom buildings or replace several leaking roofs.

I am particularly troubled that scheduled merit raises will not be available this fiscal year for any of the staff employees. By “staff” I mean the people who work so hard to support students and faculty--the custodian and groundskeeper, the clerical employee, etc.

Additionally, faculty and staff who work at Cal Poly will not get a cost of living salary increase until June 1, 1989.

Ultimately, of course, students will experience a reduction in the quality of campus life. They will have to stand in longer lines, use obsolete equipment, have a harder time getting the classes they want, and suffer the discomforts and distractions of deteriorating buildings. I am concerned that some of the minority students we have tried so diligently to enroll may become discouraged and leave.

I know that when times are hard in California, all of us must share the adversity. I have been associated with Cal Poly Pomona for 35 years--as a faculty member, dean, vice president, and for the past 11 years, as president. I remember the budget crises that occurred after the passage of Proposition 13. But the current emergency is different and is unrelated to the economic health of the state. I am troubled that public higher education is being cut at a time when California’s economy is booming.

HUGH O. La BOUNTY

President, Cal Poly Pomona