Gov. Jerry Brown has proposed a flat budget that will not make changes in this year’s state support of the California State Universities, provided that state voters pass a tax initiative during the November elections.

“It’s based upon the passage of a proposed tax initiative in November. If that is not passed in November a series of trigger cuts would go into effect, and that would include an additional $200 million cut to the CSU on top of the continuation of the $750 million cut that we have received and is ongoing,” said Elizabeth Chapin, CSU administrative support coordinator of public affairs.

The budget proposal would maintain the ongoing $750 million cut instituted but would prevent further cuts. It would also aim to re-institute financial growth and recovery by cutting state spending by $12.5 billion.

“Schools have borne the brunt of spending reductions in recent years, so this budget maintains funding at the same level as the current year,” said Brown.

The $750 million cut has caused the CSU campuses to take supplementary measures.

“Our campuses have done everything they can just to get through this fiscal year with a $750 million budget cut,” said CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed. ”We have only survived by implementing numerous cost-cutting measures, being extremely prudent with resources and spending down one-time reserves.”

Reed said if the system continues to be affected by budget cuts, the quality of education will suffer.

“We cannot continue down this budget path and expect that we can offer the same number of courses to the same number of students and maintain quality,” Reed said.

If the tax initiative fails to pass, the CSU would have to adjust further to a $200 million cut.

“The chancellor has stated before that the (CSU) would not be raising tuition midyear. However, if that were to happen, the system could potentially take a variety of measures and that would include cutting enrollment, programs, reducing personnel and raising tuition,” Chapin said. “All those measures could be considered if that initiative in November were not passed and we received the $200 million trigger cut.”

The California Faculty Association issued a response to Gov. Brown’s budget proposal in which it discussed its stance on the issue.

“We agree with the governor, that any effort to put the state’s fiscal house in order must include new revenue. We welcome all serious efforts finally to address our state’s problems by restoring revenue. As a state we must pay for the public institutions and programs that make California great,” said CFA President Lillian Taiz.

In the statement, the CFA argues that the changes in costs will affect the budget, even if it seems like no immediate cuts will occur.

“The proposal includes new shifts in costs that will ultimately create a bigger hole in the public university’s already stressed budget,” Taiz said. “If this budget comes to fruition, an entire generation of CSU students will be forced to bear the burden of our state’s continued
disinvestment in public higher education.”