Governor signs 2007-08 State Budget
On Aug. 24, Governor Schwarzenegger signed the 2007-08 State Budget, implementing an $81 reduction in funding per full time equivalent students (FTES) and a $105 million overall increase in California Community College funding.
Some areas receiving increased funding since last year include the Disabled Students Programs and Services, EOPS and CARE, Matriculation (admissions), and Nursing. Areas receiving decreased funding include Basic Skills and Apprenticeship, Student Financial Aid Administration, and Physical Plant and Instruction Support.
According to the community college league of California, The Governor vetoed Legislature’s proposed $13.8 million increase in Career Development and College Preparation, calling it “premature and inconsistent with the agreement reached in last year’s compromise on . . . SB 361.” The Governor also said that “no accountability measures have been developed to evaluate this investment,” but “the budget does provide a 4.53-percent COLA [cost of living adjustment] . . . [as well as] a 23-percent increase in per student funding for selected noncredit courses.
“Most of the money will be absorbed by salary and benefits,” says Maria Escobar, Skyline Director of Financial Aid, EOPS and CalWorks. “This semester we’re giving the maximum of $450 for each eligible student to buy required textbooks.”
Richard Wallace, Skyline Dean of Counseling, Advising and Matriculation, adds that “categorical money always has restrictions,” which means Skyline doesn’t decide where the money is spent. Also, Disabled Students Progams and Services (DSPS) has to wait until October to receive its money. “Sometimes we don’t even know the needs of students until they walk in,” says Wallace.
The Governor also vetoed $62 million in Part-Time Faculty Compensation, Health Insurance, and Office Hours, and $9.7 million in Technology Items.
The State Budget changes are minor compared to those of last year, which included the passing of Senate Bill 361. The bill proposed a new funding system that takes into account local unemployment rates, the number of FTES, and fixed operating costs.
