With Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposal to cut $97 million from the California State University system, enrollment numbers have been reduced. And a mind-boggling amount of irony has followed.
Student fees are set to increase another 10 percent if a CSU budget request for about $89 million is not appropriated. The total request for the 2009-2010 budget is $5.1 billion, which comes from state funding and student fee revenues, The Associated Press reported.
While many students worry about paying for college, nine vice presidents at four of CSU's 23 campuses have been approved salary increases of up to 19 percent by Chancellor Charles Reed, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.
To accept a bonus in a time of financial crisis is not only bad form, it's a slap in the face to the faculty being let go and to students having their education compromised. Administrators defend the pay increases with the excuse that they are doing more work than ever. So, what are students and faculty doing? We work hard, as well. But we're the ones who suffer.
The enrollment cap may turn away as many as 10,000 students, the AP reported. This would be the first time the system has not found a place for everyone who meets admission requirements.
What would this do to California's and the nation's work force?
The shortage in students and professors hinders the economy in the long run. Many look to the CSU system to provide affordable education. What happens when people are less likely - or unable - to receive that education? The country is faced with a smaller, less equipped work force.
Mismanaged budget dollars put an unnecessarily high burden on the future generation, which must fix the mess the last generation left. That mess consists of a country of financial, political and environmental waste.
The educational system is for, and largely paid for by, us. Students have the power to contest the unfair practices being taken by the system - and they should. Small actions, such as protests in front of Kendall Hall, make a big statement.
After all, the university would not exist without its students.
Related links CSUs may run $300 million under budget
Be the first to comment on this article!