State Budget Affecting SJSU
The California budget crisis is continuing to be a major factor in all walks of life -- including affecting students at San Jose State University. Major problems lie ahead for SJSU including numerous budget cuts. After reading various articles and listening to Associate VP of Public Affairs for SJSU, Larry Carr, it seems as if the students and workers of California are in this for the long hall.
According to an article on MSNBC.com, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger stated that the current budget deficit facing California "tops $15 billion and could widen within days" (msnbc). This means that budget cuts are more than necessary to regain financial stability in our state. The question that is still trying to be answered is where will these cuts come from and who will they affect the most?
Previously this semester, I had a guest speaker in one of my journalism courses. Associate VP of Public Affairs for SJSU, Larry Carr spoke about how the budget deficit facing California would affect San Jose State -- in terms of both students and faculty. Many questions were asked and some of the answers given were quite frightening. According to Carr, the current proposal on the table would cut 10% of the CSU's budget, although they are still not sure about the baseline. This means that upwards of $10 million would come out of SJSU. Because SJSU is overenrolled by 12% of what the state funds, the projection for the fall 09' semester would mean that 3,000 fewer students would be admitted (Carr). After asking Carr how they would determine who would be let in he said that some things would have to change, such as students no longer being admitted for simply meeting the minimum requirements for enrollment. SJSU would also give first priority to students in the service area. They would then look outside the service area. Next they would look at things like test scores and when they applied. (Carr).
Along with fewer students allowed in, the students who are enrolled would see a 10% increase in student fees (Carr). This means things like increased tuition as well as a raise in the price of on-campus housing – all things that students are already having trouble paying for. What may be most disappointing is the fact that the student’s fees would only be able to go towards certain things such as rebuilding the student union and student health care center (Carr). There was no mention of fixing parking or accommodating student’s needs.
In order to advance the university, they plan to raise private dollars for education being that about 50 % percent of SJSU’s budget comes from California and 50% does not (Carr). According to Carr, more Pel Grants are becoming available due to the stimulus package.
Enrollment today at SJSU is just over 33,000 and the number keeps breaking records causing the University to become overenrolled in recent years (SJSU). The proposed plan would attempt to get the number of students down to about 30,000. They would like to be about 2 or 3% under what the state provides (Carr).
In conclusion, we must realize that the budget crisis going on in California has already hit close to home. In fact, it is already being seen in our schools and affecting how San Jose State is being operated. What remains to be seen is what our Governor and State officials will do to help us climb out of this mess and where and how long these cuts will continue to affect our university.
Works Cited
", Long-term Trends." Office of Institutional Research at SJSU. 18 May 2009.
"Calif. proposes laying off thousands - Life- msnbc.com." Breaking News, Weather, Business, Health, Entertainment, Sports, Politics, Travel, Science, Technology, Local, US & World News- msnbc.com. 18 May 2009
"Larry Carr Presentation." Larry Carr Presentation. San Jose State University, San Jose. 20 Feb. 2009.
Word Count: 592
The California budget crisis is continuing to be a major factor in all walks of life -- including affecting students at San Jose State University. Major problems lie ahead for SJSU including numerous budget cuts. After reading various articles and listening to Associate VP of Public Affairs for SJSU, Larry Carr, it seems as if the students and workers of California are in this for the long hall.
According to an article on MSNBC.com, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger stated that the current budget deficit facing California "tops $15 billion and could widen within days" (msnbc). This means that budget cuts are more than necessary to regain financial stability in our state. The question that is still trying to be answered is where will these cuts come from and who will they affect the most?
Previously this semester, I had a guest speaker in one of my journalism courses. Associate VP of Public Affairs for SJSU, Larry Carr spoke about how the budget deficit facing California would affect San Jose State -- in terms of both students and faculty. Many questions were asked and some of the answers given were quite frightening. According to Carr, the current proposal on the table would cut 10% of the CSU's budget, although they are still not sure about the baseline. This means that upwards of $10 million would come out of SJSU. Because SJSU is overenrolled by 12% of what the state funds, the projection for the fall 09' semester would mean that 3,000 fewer students would be admitted (Carr). After asking Carr how they would determine who would be let in he said that some things would have to change, such as students no longer being admitted for simply meeting the minimum requirements for enrollment. SJSU would also give first priority to students in the service area. They would then look outside the service area. Next they would look at things like test scores and when they applied. (Carr).
Along with fewer students allowed in, the students who are enrolled would see a 10% increase in student fees (Carr). This means things like increased tuition as well as a raise in the price of on-campus housing – all things that students are already having trouble paying for. What may be most disappointing is the fact that the student’s fees would only be able to go towards certain things such as rebuilding the student union and student health care center (Carr). There was no mention of fixing parking or accommodating student’s needs.
In order to advance the university, they plan to raise private dollars for education being that about 50 % percent of SJSU’s budget comes from California and 50% does not (Carr). According to Carr, more Pel Grants are becoming available due to the stimulus package.
Enrollment today at SJSU is just over 33,000 and the number keeps breaking records causing the University to become overenrolled in recent years (SJSU). The proposed plan would attempt to get the number of students down to about 30,000. They would like to be about 2 or 3% under what the state provides (Carr).
In conclusion, we must realize that the budget crisis going on in California has already hit close to home. In fact, it is already being seen in our schools and affecting how San Jose State is being operated. What remains to be seen is what our Governor and State officials will do to help us climb out of this mess and where and how long these cuts will continue to affect our university.
Works Cited
", Long-term Trends." Office of Institutional Research at SJSU. 18 May 2009
"Calif. proposes laying off thousands - Life- msnbc.com." Breaking News, Weather, Business, Health, Entertainment, Sports, Politics, Travel, Science, Technology, Local, US & World News- msnbc.com. 18 May 2009
"Larry Carr Presentation." Larry Carr Presentation. San Jose State University, San Jose. 20 Feb. 2009.
Word Count: 592
1 comment:
Good job, but break up that really long third paragraph. Also:
* Put long titles after the person's name (AP style)
* the long haul (not "hall")
* write out "percent" (AP style)
46/50
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