With relatively affordable tuition, strong job placement outcomes and guaranteed admissions options, it’s no surprise that the California State University system attracts more than 1,200 Pierce College graduates each year as transfer students. But Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposal of a $375 million state budget cut to the CSU system would hinder these universities’ resources and hurt transfer students.
Newsom’s proposal for the 2025-26 state budget includes an 8% cut to the CSU system, which is the largest public four-year university system in the country. If this cut goes through, it would likely mean faculty layoffs, gutted academic resources and the cancellation of some majors, according to CalMatters.
There’s still time to reverse course on the CSU budget cuts, because the final state budget isn’t due until late June. For the sake of students, especially community college transfers who go to the CSU system in search of opportunity and affordability, these cuts should not go through.
Although the California Community College system is not facing cuts in Newsom’s proposed budget, any cuts to the state’s public universities hurt community college students. That’s because many of these students plan to transfer to earn four-year degrees, and can’t afford expensive private universities.
The CSU system provides crucial opportunities for higher education and social mobility to a diverse swath of students across California. According to the system’s website, it serves about 460,000 students, more than a third of whom are the first in their family to attend college. The CSU system is also generally more accessible, both in terms of cost and admissions, than the University of California system and private universities.
Even before the proposed state cuts, the CSU system is already struggling financially. At Sonoma State, the university’s interim president announced plans to cut the college’s athletics program and shutter several majors, including majors that have students currently enrolled, according to CalMatters. San Francisco State also recently made significant cuts due to financial struggles. If the proposed state budget goes through, these challenges would only worsen.
Public four-year higher education is one of the key ways for Californians, including community college transfer students, to succeed. That’s why Gov. Newsom and the state legislature should ensure the upcoming budget does not include harmful cuts to the CSU system.
