NORTHRIDGE : University Considering Harsh Budget Measures
A package of harsh cost-cutting measures that includes eliminating academic majors--and even some departments--is under study by the Cal State Northridge administration.
Dozens of major fields of study with fewer than 40 undergraduate students or 10 graduate students are targeted for possible elimination, including dance, business education, civil and structural engineering, French and German culture, statistics, astrophysics, geophysics and clinical psychology.
Faculty and student leaders reacted mildly to the measures Friday, but predicted that those directly affected might register opposition as the plan circulates next week.
The depth of the cuts will be determined largely by the outcome of the battle in Sacramento between Gov. Pete Wilson, who wants to raise tuition by 40%, and the Legislature, which is resisting an increase of that magnitude.
Administrators say it would cost $109 million to keep the 30,000-student campus operating at present levels in the fiscal year that begins July 1.
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