Students for California's Future: News

December 21st, 2009 - January 3rd, 2010

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Year in review: Colleges tackle reduced finances, increased access - The nation's colleges this year faced their worst financial challenges in decades. Endowments took their biggest hit ever — down an average 19% this year, says an estimate by the Commonfund Institute, a non-profit research organization. USA Today

Higher education in California should reflect the times - As the crisis persists, it's time for a new master plan that would streamline curriculum, bring funding in line with students' ability to pay and put UC, Cal State and community colleges in sync. Los Angeles Times

California ignores solution to crumbling university system - California’s college and university system has long served as a model for the rest of the country in producing capable, educated young people at a cost that was largely affordable for the middle class. However, the 50 year old “Master Plan for Higher Education” is sagging under the weight of budget cuts and rising tuition. LA Examiner

Let's show some initiative to save colleges' master plan - As a native Californian growing up in the 1950s and '60s, I enjoyed the fruits of the California Master Plan for Higher Education. I had the opportunity to attend a good California college and it was affordable. As a parent, my two sons were also able to take advantage of the same master plan, although costs were continuing to rise. Now as a member of the Joint Legislative Committee reviewing the master plan on its 50th anniversary, I've heard testimony bemoaning the demise of this precedent-setting plan that is respected and valued throughout the world. How could this happen? Daily Breeze

Restoring an educational gem's luster - Cuts are fast eroding California's once-vaunted system of public colleges and universities. Judicious change can address new realities while affirming the enduring goals of the state's master plan. Los Angeles Times

Educators face new challenges - After winning office as the nation's 43rd president, George W. Bush introduced a federal program, dubbed No Child Left Behind, aimed at improving education through higher standards and greater accountability. The decade began with ambitious plans for raising the bar on public education and student achievement. Contra Costa Times

News: Second Opinion - Saying they're unconvinced by bleak financial reports produced by university business chiefs, increasingly skeptical students and faculty are outsourcing number crunching to independent auditors, often with the hope of exposing hidden pots of money in cavernous college coffers. Inside Higher Ed

California State University Students Shortchanged by Cuts - As a portion of an overall strategy to address the unprecedented $584 million dollar funding reduction called for by Gov. Schwarzenegger, the CSU has imposed a two-day per month furlough for all employees, including management and executives. Empire Report

College cuts: The erosion of equal opportunity - After reading some of the comments posted online in response to the Dec. 1 article in this newspaper titled “NVC students rally to fight fee hikes, class reductions,” I decided that the least I should do is put pen to paper in an effort to bring some much-needed additional perspective to this issue. Napa Valley Register

Deep budget cuts challenge colleges - Deep state budget cuts coupled with increased demand, accreditation woes and the loss of leaders are some key issues that impacted local community colleges in 2009. Times-Herald

Campuses may expand offerings - Future nurses, teachers and biotech engineers may soon be able to take the community college route to a bachelor’s degree. SF Examiner