Political analysts, economists and educators met to discuss California’s fiscal crisis and its effects on higher education and possible budget reforms at a UC town hall meeting on Dec. 1 at UCLA. Sponsored by the University of California Office of the President, the budget forum addressed issues regarding the fiscal crisis and how higher education can cope.
“”This current budget discussion, I think, is going to alert a lot of people as we start to explore some of our options,”” UC President Robert C. Dynes said.
Among the issues raised was the university’s ability to remain accessible and available to all Californians. According to panel member and UCLA Vice Chancellor of Finance and Budget Steve Olsen, while the demand for higher education is expected to grow, the Department of Finance is predicting 20 percent reductions in funding for the University of California and California State University systems.
“”The basic public policy question that we have to ask is: What is the state’s responsibility to access?”” said Charles Reed, chancellor for the California State University system. “”I think there is a relationship between economic prosperity and higher education, and we have yet to figure out how to make that case to the public.””
During the forum, audience members raised concerns about accessibility to higher education especially in the context of a recent budget proposal by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to cut $22 million for UC outreach programs.
“”We have developed relationships with K-12 over the past years,”” Dynes said. “”Those relationships we cannot walk away from. We cannot put a fence around higher education. We simply have to honor the kinds of relationship we have developed.””
Other issues raised by the audience during the question and answer portion included student fees, enrollment caps and the governor’s proposal for a $15 billion bond.
“”We will do everything else we can to fend off the kinds of cuts that we will get before it comes off the backs of students,”” Dynes said. “”We will continue a commitment to student aid so that those with the lowest income will feel the least impact.””
Community colleges are also feeling the effects of the budget crisis. Chancellor of the California Community Colleges Thomas Nussbaum was at hand to describe how the community college system is coping.
“”When times get rough, the state gets amnesia on its commitment to academic [institutions] and cuts the level of funding,”” Nussbaum said. “”Community colleges right now are 90,000 students below what we were projected to be for enrollment by the Department of Finance. That’s 90,000 students not having economic opportunity.””
Experts suggested possible reforms that the state can take in order to alleviate some of the burden from higher education. These include both structural changes, including a possible move of public universities toward a more self-supporting environment.
Bruce Hamlett from the office of Assemblywoman Carol Liu (D-Pasadena), who is a member of the Higher Education Committee, mentioned possible solutions that the committee is looking at. Proposals include moving students through programs more effectively, reducing per student costs, utilizing the private sector and increasing student fees along with increasing financial aid.
“”These are ways to work around the edge to improve operations to try and direct money more effectively, but it’s not a replacement for the budget deficit,”” Hamlett said.
According to the experts, California’s problems began during the economic boom in the mid-1990s. During this time, the state was able to expand many programs with money flowing in from a booming economy.
However, once the boom ended, politicians were unable to decide on a specific reform to combat the effects. Some of the panel members also noted that part of the problem is the unwillingness of Californians to make sacrifices and pay more taxes.
“”I have not seen anyone in California willing to sacrifice, and the problem is not just with politicians,”” UC Berkeley professor of public policy John Ellwood said. “”We want that extra $10 billion a year without paying for it, and until people are willing to sacrifice their careers or until we are willing to change our mind, we’ve got big problems.””
Dynes noted that while there are yet to be concrete solutions that would ultimately solve the budget problems, he and the leaders of the California State University and California Community College system will continue discussion to find ways of assisting students.
“”We’re looking at a range of things including better articulation amongst the three systems to join outreach programs, better mapping out pathways for all high school students through this confusing array of higher education,”” Dynes said.
