CSUN Faces Cuts Under Brown's Budget-Slashing Plan

Gov. Jerry Brown's proposed state budget hacks $500 million from the Cal State University system. That's another 18 percent from the already reduced education budget.

“These cuts will be painful, requiring sacrifice from every sector of the state, but we have no choice,” Brown said in a statement Monday about plan, which overall calls for $12.5 billion in spending cuts.

California State University, Northridge, would share that pain. CSUN attracts students from Chatsworth and throughout the region who are seeking an education that is likely to become more difficult to obtain.

Cal State Chancellor Charles B. Reed said in a statement that the cuts would have "serious impacts on the state's economy, limit access for students seeking entrance into our universities, and restrict classes and services for our current students."

Although it is unclear exactly what this new budget would mean for students and staff, it would be expected to affect services and availability of classes, said Cynthia Rawitch, associate vice president of undergraduate studies at CSUN.

“I’m not sure we can do much more belt-tightening,” she added.  “We have cut down in number of faculty and staff.  We are unable to hire support staff.”

Theresa Montano, CSUN chapter president of the California Faculty Association, called the proposed budget devastating. “I understand that California is in crisis,” she said.  In the past, she added, it's been elementary and secondary schools that have "borne the brunt of the burden.”

Montano said an honest appraisal of all sectors of the California economy is necessary.

“I don’t think you should rob Peter to pay Paul,” she said.  “We’re all hurting.  Is the state committed to social services?  They are not free.  We have to look at ways of closing corporate loopholes.”

Marianne Afifi, associate dean of Oviatt Library at CSUN, anticipates the proposed budget cuts would limit the use of the the library. “We will be impacted like everyone else,” she said. “What affects the library are usually our opening hours. ... We have strived to maintain library hours, because they’re what students need." Afifi said the proposed budget could also affect staffing, noting that the library employs a lot of students.

Christine Hutt, a former CSUN student who graduated in May, said she is glad she is no longer a student in the current fiscal climate, but was philosophical about the cuts. “[Brown] has to do what he has to do to stimulate the economy,” she said. “Education is always first to be cut. It’s unfortunate.”

The governor also plans to cut $500 million from the University of California budget.

Overall, Brown's budget plan cuts spending by $12.5 billion to help close an estimated $25.4-billion gap.

The plan also calls for an extension of $9 billion in sales, income and vehicle  taxes, which would have to be approved by voters in a special election.

“This budget only works if the electorate extends taxes, or cuts will be worse,” Rawitch said.