California State University, Fullerton

A-Z Index

News and Information
CSUF Home   »   News Front

Cal State Fullerton Faces Unprecedented Challenges

A Statement from Cal State Fullerton President Milton A. Gordon

July 24, 2009 :: No. 008

Cal State Fullerton is facing unprecedented challenges as a result of the state’s $26.3 billion fiscal crisis. While a final budget has yet to be approved by the state legislature and signed by the Governor, Cal State Fullerton has no choice but to take steps now to bring spending in line with a projected $584 million shortfall to the California State University that is projected to create a $36.7 million shortfall in CSUF funding for 2009-10.

A decrease of this size will have significant effects on the operation of the campus, and bring fundamental changes to the way we do business. Because of the state’s ongoing fiscal crisis, CSUF has aimed for a balanced approach to serve as many students as possible and preserve as many jobs as possible. To that end, we are taking the following steps for 2009-10:

  • The CSU Board of Trustees has increased state university student fees by $672 for full-time undergraduate students and $828 for graduate students in fall 2009. There also will be a $990 tuition increase for full-time non-resident students. CSU undergraduate students will pay approximately $4,827 per year (which includes an average campus fee of $801), the lowest fee among comparable institutions. CSUF undergraduate student fees will increase from $3,658 (2008-2009) to $4,662 (2009-10), and there will be comparable fee increases for credential, graduate and non-resident students. One-third of the fee increase will be set aside for student, need-based scholarships.
  • We have reduced admissions for fall 2009, and are expecting 1,200 fewer college-eligible community college transfers and first-time freshmen will enroll this fall.
  • We have cut summer school enrollment for 2009 by 38 percent, from 10,500 (2008) to 6,500 (2009).
  • We have instituted a salary and hiring freeze for non-essential positions, as well as travel and purchasing restrictions.
  • We have closed spring 2010 undergraduate admission, for an additional reduction of approximately 2,000 students in spring 2010 enrollment.
  • The CSU is in the process of negotiating furloughs with several of its labor unions, as their labor agreements do not include provisions for furloughs. To date, the California State University Employees Union (CSUEU) and the United Physicians and Dentists (UPD) have ratified a furlough agreement. The California Faculty Association (CFA) is polling its members on a furlough option with the results expected after July 22. The CSU is in the process of negotiating furloughs with the Academic Professionals of California (APC). The remaining unions have opted for layoffs per their contracts. The campus is in the process of developing a specific furlough plan.
  • And we will remain alert for other cost-saving measures as we continue the challenging task of aligning operating expenses with our diminished state funding.

Despite the challenges, I am confident that the Cal State Fullerton university community will pull together to continue providing students a quality education and to support the regional economy with graduates that are ready to be productive members of the workforce.

Milton A. Gordon, President

Media Contact:
Chris Bugbee , Director, Media Relations , (o) 657-278-8487, (cell) 323-336-1781 , cbugbee@fullerton.edu