Calif. College Groups Applaud Governor’s Budget Proposal

Inside Higher Ed

Lilah Burke

January 12, 2021

Several higher education systems and organizations applauded California governor Gavin Newsom’s budget proposal this week. Those groups include the University of California system, the California State University system, the Community College League of California, the UC Student Association and the California Faculty Association.

“Governor Newsom’s budget provides $136.3 million of new ongoing support to the University of California, including $103.9 million to partly restore the $300.8 million in reductions made last year to UC. The proposal also includes $32.4 million for ongoing targeted investments in other areas, such as expanding access for student mental health services,” the UC said in a statement. “We thank Governor Newsom for these critical investments in UC students and California’s future, especially given the fiscal uncertainty during COVID-19.”

The budget proposal also provides $144.5 million in recurring funding for the Cal State system, which has 23 campuses and enrolls more than 480,000 students. Additionally, the budget provides $225 million in one-time funding to the system, a large portion of which would go to delayed maintenance of infrastructure projects.

“Governor Newsom’s 2021-22 January budget proposal provides a welcome reinvestment in the California State University and demonstrates his continued belief in the power of public higher education in developing future leaders of our state and improving the lives of the residents of California,” Cal State chancellor Joseph Castro wrote in a statement.

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