It is sad that the deficit California is currently facing will have such an impact on higher education, especially in the community colleges throughout the state. Potential student fee hikes, along with class cuts and other budget slashes, which are currently under consideration by Gov. Davis, will greatly influence the academic plans of many students who consider attending community college.
         We must also consider that fees will not only increase in community colleges, but in the state universities too. According to recent article published in the San Francisco Chronicle, student fees in the University of California may be raised by 35%. Once this happens, we may see UC students going to community colleges to complete their lower general education requirements, especially if their financial aid does not cover their fees. Also, some Skyline students who plan to transfer may not be able to as a result of the fee hike, and may choose to prolong their education on a community college level. This, combined with the proposed class cuts, will make class enrollment a great deal more difficult than it already is.
         When a college does not offer a class that a student needs, or it is full, and if there is no other class meets that particular requirement, the student may then be obliged to go to another college in order to take that course. This is already a reality for many students, and it is understandably a big inconvenience for them. Attending two schools concurrently means losing time in transportation, paying more parking fees, student fees and gas (for those who drive to school). Other students will just have to take fewer courses, which will result in delaying their academic goals, and some especially frustrated students may simply drop out.
         Not only do community colleges have students who want to complete their general education requirements before transferring, but there are also many others who take classes to improve their skills, become part of the state’s work force, or to become more fluent in English. What would happen to these people if they can’t pay the price or get the classes they want? Some take one or a couple of classes in a semester for as little as $11 per class. But if the fees go up, they are likely to be discouraged from going to school at all.
         What’s worse is the fact that the net fee revenues will end up in the state’s general fund, which means that the fee increases will not bring additional revenues to the community colleges themselves. Because of this, there is no room for the schools to improve until more funds are granted, if they are ever granted. Cut programs will have no opportunity to recover, because there is no extra money.
         “I only hope other ways to manage the deficit can be found, i.e. cutting spending in new prisons so that the community colleges in particular can continue to provide access to higher education and vocational training so sorely needed for our population,” said Linda Rosa Corazon, Skyline’s transfer center coordinator.
         Class cuts and higher costs will ultimately discourage Californians from pursuing their education, and such changes result in the exact opposite of Davis’ original goal to save money, not to mention it would inhibit the social and cultural growth of our communities. I wonder if education is still a top priority in our state’s government. If less people are educated, we are hardly advancing as a society. Our expectations cannot be met and surpassed if our educational system is moving backwards. Last I checked, the government’s goal was to help our students move forward. Considering the future students are facing, it appears we are heading in the wrong direction.