Students for California's Future: News

February 1st - 7th, 2010

*Get Involved by Signing Up for the Newsletter and Joining the Facebook Page*

Proposed federal budget will increase financial aid funding by $300 million for 2011 - President Obama's proposed budget for fiscal year 2011 will increase funding for financial aid programs compared to this year. The Daily Californian

With federal stimulus money gone, many schools face budget gaps - Federal stimulus money has helped avoid drastic cuts at public schools in most parts of the nation, at least so far. But with the federal money running out, many of the nation’s schools are approaching what officials are calling a “funding cliff.” New York Times

State bills reintroduced , aim to make CSU and UC records open to public - State Sen. Leland Yee, (D-San Francisco), reintroduced two bills Jan. 5 that will bring greater transparency to the state of California’s public higher-education institutions, require foundation records to be open to public inspection and will also seek to protect whistleblowers in the Cal State University/University of California systems. Daily Titan

Proposed oil tax divides education leaders - An East Bay lawmaker wants to tax oil pumped from the California ground and give the proceeds to colleges and universities, but the proposal has run afoul of the very people it was supposed to help. Assembly Bill 656 initially would have taxed companies 12.5 percent for oil and gas extracted from the state. The money would have been divided among the three public systems: community colleges, California State University and the University of California. Contra Costa Times

Building the movement - Frustrated by deep cuts to education spending and quality, momentum is building across California in support of the "Strike and Day of Action to Defend Public Education" on March 4. San Francisco Bay Guardian

Opinion: Holding the line on cuts to California universities isn't enough - We all know that 2009 was a very tough year for California's public universities. Now, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has given students — and the state — a new reason for optimism with his vow to "hold the line" on funding for education in next year's budget. I applaud the governor for his proposal to restore this year's $305 million cut to the California State University budget and to add $60 million in funding for CSU's enrollment growth. The legislature should decisively enact these measures. But let's be clear: "Holding the line" against further cuts isn't enough. Saving higher education in California will take a bold vision in Sacramento of increased funding for education over the long term. A consistent and predictable scaling up of higher education opportunities for California's high school graduates is the best path to economic recovery. Silicon Valley Mercury News

Students seeking California degrees struggle with 2010-2011 fee increases - There are thousands of students in California at a CSU or UC college working to earn their degree, but the new fall 2010-2011 tuition increases might be too much for some to handle. California College News Blog

When students strike back: the new social movement at the University of California - The next big move of the UC coalition is to hold a series of protests, rallies, and strikes throughout the state on March 4th. Under the general banner of "Defending Public Education, Defending Public Workers," this day of action will bring together teachers, students, and workers from K-PhD. The central demands are to stop the fee hikes, rehire layed off workers, increase enrollments, and bargain in good faith with the unions. The coalition is also asking to stop the re-segregation of education by protecting the educational opportunities of underrepresented students. Huffington Post

For UC's Commission on the Future, nothing is off the table - With California's public university system shackled to a shrinking budget, a group of chancellors, students and others considers ideas -- from banal to radical -- to keep quality up and costs down. Los Angeles Times

Cal State to use $51M to restore cut classes - Chancellor Charles Reed said Friday that CSU is giving campuses an extra $50.9 million for the fall 2010 term. The money will add as many as 8,100 classes, retain instructors and provide student services. California State University students could have better luck getting into classes next fall. Silicon Valley Mercury News

S.F. City College cancels summer session - Thousands of students who expected to make up missed courses or simply move their education forward will have to put those plans on hold this year because City College of San Francisco is canceling its popular summer session. San Francisco Chronicle

California community colleges top focus at state legislators hearing - A California state legislator hearing was held in Sacramento yesterday regarding the California Master Plan for Higher Education. The overall focus of the hearing was to brain storm ideas on how more students can get into college and graduate faster. One idea that came up last month in the state, was to allow California community colleges the ability to offer bachelors degrees for certain subjects. California College News Blog

Turning a new leaf on degrees - California’s higher education institutions might be getting a much-needed overhaul. Legislation being drafted by state Assemblyman Marty Block, D-San Diego, would allow community colleges to offer bachelor’s degrees. The State Hornet

Crisp: Presidential nod to community colleges - Everyone who works at a community college -- as I do -- enjoys hearing this American institution mentioned in a speech -- as President Obama did during his State of the Union address last week. Scripps News