College Seeks Input From Students, Faculty on Budget

In the wake of a winter budget crisis that left more than 1,000 students without some core classes, Cal State Dominguez Hills has opened its annual budget process to get input from students and faculty members.

Officials hope to gauge reaction from students and instructors who are concerned that proposed cutbacks will drastically reduce the number of courses and teaching positions on the Carson campus.

The university is planning to reduce its $62-million budget by 1% across the board to repay a $441,000 loan from Cal State Fullerton used to balance the books. The proposal calls for a 2% reduction in the $36-million Academic Affairs budget to compensate for overspending and poor financial planning. Larger cuts are expected for the College of Arts and Science.

“There have been some terrible inadequacies in Academic Affairs and we’re going to have to reduce the budget,” said University President Bob Detweiler during the Academic Affairs meeting that drew about 100 faculty members and students. “Arts and Sciences is one of our biggest colleges and, yes, they will be less well-funded this year. Arts and Science has not done a good job managing the budget.”

Over the last two years, the university has had a multitude of budgetary problems. In addition to the $441,000 loan, an ambitious international student recruitment effort fell nearly $500,000 short of its projected revenue goals and a $300,000 Academic Affairs deficit because of overspending in the fall semester forced the school to drop about 80 classes.

But while the budget continues to shrink, the campus has continued to grow. Since 1989, enrollment at the school has increased by more than 30% while its budget has not reflected enough growth to accommodate the new students. Detweiler said that the university will not stretch the budget any further and may be forced to turn away students this fall if there is not enough funding.

Many students and faculty members see the budget reduction as a red flag. Students are concerned that courses will be cut and services limited. Faculty members are concerned that the number of part-time positions will be reduced.