March 11, 2010
TO: All SDSU Employees
FROM: Sally Roush, Vice President of Business and Financial Affairs
March 11, 2010
Budget Update #24
Since Budget Update #23, a few things of note have become clear. First, the CSU has not been required to make a mid-year budget reduction. We are well into the spring semester, so a mid-year reduction would have been problematic. As mentioned in previous updates, the Chancellor’s Office sought and obtained $75 million in federal stimulus funds that have been distributed in two parts, the first $25 million ($2.0 million for SDSU) in late fall to fund spring 2010 course sections, and the second $50 million ($4 million for SDSU) to fund course sections in academic year 2010/11. These two distributions have gone directly to colleges to benefit our students.
Second, the Chancellor’s Office recently released its 2010-11 Governor’s Budget Allocation Memo and advised us to expect a relatively flat state budget for the CSU. Although the Governor’s budget proposes an increase, it is highly unlikely that an increase will occur given the enormous financial challenges facing the state. As reported in the news media, initial discussions among legislators have suggested that higher education will not be reduced beyond the current year level of funding. There is, of course, no way to know where the CSU will finally end up in the state budget. But thus far, there is basis for cautious optimism that we may not be facing significant further cuts in 2010/11.
We must remain vigilant and watch the budget proceedings carefully. We must take every opportunity to let our legislative leaders know of the importance of higher education in general, and SDSU in particular, to the citizens of our state. We have good reason to be proud of the responsible manner in which we have taken our budget reductions while continuing to provide quality service to our students.