Budget Crisis for State Colleges

It seems inconceivable that the leaders of the state of California are considering dismantling the California State University system. Your coverage in recent days vividly illustrates how desperately we need agreement in Sacramento on a budget solution, not on service cuts. We need a solution that minimizes any cuts to the CSU--in no event more than $100 million. Additionally, we need legislative approval of the proposed 40% student fee increase and of the early retirement incentive legislation, AB 1522. Under these conditions, we believe the CSU can forestall precipitate program closures and layoff of permanent faculty during 1992-93.

The CSU has already absorbed over $400 million in cuts during the last three years. We have no budget flexibility left and no external funding to fall back on. Higher education is people-intensive. Most of our budget pays for people who educate and assist students. An educated citizenry pays for itself in social and economic progress.

An early retirement incentive would save money over time and would immediately prevent layoffs of more recently hired faculty. These faculty are the future of the CSU and represent the diversity of our students. Further cuts mean layoffs of a large number of faculty, thus larger reductions in classes and programs offered and fewer students enrolled. Students on the campuses now say they would pay more to save their education.

SANDRA WILCOX

JAMES HIGHSMITH

Chair and Vice Chair, Academic Senate

Cal State Long Beach