Editor’s note: We asked leaders from California’s institutions, policy and advocacy organizations for their thoughts on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s postsecondary budget proposal. Their responses are presented below in no particular order. Scroll down read their thoughts on the governor’s plans for postsecondary education.
Andrew Nickens
Student Senate for California Community Colleges (SSCCC)
Q. What stands out in the governor’s proposed budget for education?
This budget shows a clear and resounding commitment to community college students. Overall, the governor ambitiously addresses community college affordability with one-time and ongoing investments totaling more than $400 million. These investments will help address the nightmare many of our students are facing by providing early action emergency aid grants, support for students’ basic needs and funding to retain and enroll students. Beyond this, we are thankful for proposing to aggressively pay down deferrals which have short-changed our colleges and have led to cuts for many critical programs our neediest students rely on.
Q. What changes would you recommend that the Legislature make to it?
While we appreciate the governor’s proposal, we need to ensure that one-time funding doesn’t become a one-time commitment. Infrastructure like basic needs centers, mental health counselors and broadband is needed to meet the needs of students and bridge the digital divide. This true commitment to students will require the Legislature to go beyond one-time funding and make ongoing investments that will meet students’ needs in the long run. Precipitous drops in enrollment are a symptom of a basic needs crisis that has been exacerbated by the pandemic and continues to disproportionately impact low income students and students of color. If the Legislature doesn’t get serious about supporting students, California community colleges will cease to function as an engine of economic recovery and this recession will be harmfully prolonged.
Andrew Nickens is a student at Folsom Lake College and vice president of Legislative Affairs, Student Senate for California Community Colleges.
Eloy Oakley
California Community Colleges Chancellor
Q.What stands out in the governor’s proposed budget for education?
This budget proposal puts students first. We commend the recognition that community college students have been the most affected population in higher education and the steps to address the growing need by investing in emergency aid. The California Community Colleges are guided by the Vision for Success, a strategic plan designed to improve student success outcomes, increase transfer rates and eliminate equity gaps. We look forward to conversations to aligning our action plans to fully close equity gaps.
The ensuing health, economic and civic crises reinforce the need to advance our work to end systemic racism in our state and nation. As budget conversations evolve, we’ll emphasize the need for investments in diversity, equity and inclusion. The governor is putting an emphasis on workforce development and support for small businesses. California Community Colleges are key to these efforts and stand ready to get Californians back to work.
Q. What changes would you recommend that the Legislature make to it?
Even before Covid-19, too many California community college students were struggling with basic needs insecurities. Covid-19 has further exposed economic and social disparities. Our students need more than ever Cal Grant reform which covers their total cost of attendance and doesn’t undermine financial aid to the system serving over 70% of higher education students in California.
Eloy Oakley has served as chancellor of the California Community Colleges since December 2016.
Zahraa Khuraibet
California State University Student Association
Q. What stands out in the governor’s proposed budget for education?
We are thankful to see Governor Newsom prioritize higher education and his reinvestment in the California State University (CSU). In particular the proposed $30 million in emergency financial aid, $15 million for digital equity and mental health services, $15 million for the Basic Needs Initiative and the extension of the Summer Financial Aid program. This truly shows a commitment to needs of students and access to basic needs.
Q. What changes would you recommend that the Legislature make to it?
While we are pleased that there is a prioritization of student affordability challenges there is a need for an ongoing investment in basic needs. This is absolutely critical in conjunction with a basic needs reform to ensure that current and future students have access to resources they need to succeed and to further close the equity gaps.
Zahraa Khuraibet is a masters’ student at CSU Northridge and president of the California State Student Association, representing the students of the California State University system.
Joseph I. Castro
California State University Chancellor
Q. What stands out in the governor’s proposed budget for education?
It’s clearly student-focused with a much-needed equity lens to ensure that each student, regardless of their background, has access to resources and tools they need to be successful. It also recognizes the powerful role that higher education plays in the economic resiliency of the state. We agree with the governor that one of the major reasons that businesses stay in California is because of our higher education institutions. We are pleased to play this critically important role for the state and appreciate the governor’s recognition of it.
Q. What changes would you recommend that the Legislature make to it?
The CSU is encouraged by the governor’s budget proposal. We would, of course, like the Legislature to add recurring dollars to our budget that was significantly reduced last year, so we can continue to prepare career-ready graduates. Having improved our four-year graduation rate by 63%, moving from 19% to 31% since 2016, is a remarkable accomplishment and an unparalleled return on investment. But our work is unfinished, as we must eliminate equity gaps to reduce the disparities in educational attainment between different groups of students. With the social unrest and economic upheaval that California communities are experiencing, there has never been a more important investment or area of focus.
Joseph I. Castro is chancellor of the California State University.
