On January 10, 2008, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger released his state budget proposal for 2008-2009. His budget release included massive cuts of over a billion dollars to higher education. Over 3.2 million University of California, California State University and California Community College students statewide are adversely affected by the proposed budget cuts. The state budget cannot continually be balanced on the backs of students. These budget cuts heavily impact the core educational institutions of our state proposing to take $483 million from the CCCs, $312.9 million from the CSUs and $331.9 million from the UC system.
These cuts would directly translate into thousands of students turned away at the doors of higher education institutions. In the coming year as many as 50,000 students could be barred from California’s most accessible means of higher education, the CCC; 10,000 qualified students could be denied from the CSU system, and UC students will struggle to afford the 94 percent tuition fee increase since 2001.
The 1960 California Master Plan promised to find a place in the California higher education system for every qualified student. Almost half a century later, this promise is on the verge of extinction. Together we represent the nearly 3 million students who attend the CCC, CSU and UC systems. Each of us believes education is vital to the growth of California’s economy and instrumental in improving the quality of life for everyone. We believe that a quality and affordable education should be available to every Californian who desires to pursue one.
Education is a means to a better life, a more peaceful world and a better California. It is time to end the days when legislative accountability is skirted, gubernatorial responsibility is ignored and California’s future is relegated to the sidelines. Students throughout California are realizing that the time for action is now.
The University of California Student Association, the California State Student Association and the Student Senate for California Community Colleges have joined together to form a coalition: Students for California’s Future. On April 21 we will be holding actions all across the state to say “no more” to the attacks on our higher education system and reclaim the promise for California’s future.
Just as leaders in the 1960s built the California Master Plan, calling for a strong K-12 education system and a three-pronged approach to address the diverse higher education needs of the state, we are coming together to revive the California dream. It is time that we make clear what California’s priorities are and, once again, take pride in our education system.