The results of budget cuts have stifling effects on students. Few students know what “free resources” even are, let alone what is “free” about them.
At CSU Long Beach, free resources include tutoring, computer labs, health centers, the library, the career development center, and many more. The donations that the general funds receive are allocated to maintain such resources and programs. Without such support, we would either have to pay for these resources in our tuition (which means tuition would increase), or we lose our resources altogether.
Anyone else notice that the acceptance rate has lowered? Aside from the university becoming increasingly popular, the university must be extra competitive due to budget cuts. This past year, CSULB had a record number of applicants, being the third most applied-to university in California (falling short of only UC Berkeley and UC Los Angeles). Although we are glad to have such high rates of applicants, it is unfortunate that we cannot accept as many students as we’d like because there is just not enough money from the state to fund all these students (and the professors/lecturers needed to teach these students). The worst part is hearing that we may no longer accept applications in the Spring if we don’t find funds.
Like I said before, tuition only covers 17% of the university’s needs. Since CSULB prides itself on providing quality education at an affordable price (which is why we refused the offer to become a UC), we had to decline admission to deserving prospective students and will continue to do so until the proper funding is provided.
Now back to the effects on current students. A well-known result of budget cuts is the cut classes and faculty. This is surely applicable to more than just CSULB or colleges, this applies to all school levels. It’s been rumored that nearly 500 staff and 5,000 courses were let go or cancelled this year because we just couldn’t make the funds.
5,000 courses being cut means only one thing: students must prolong graduation. When half these courses are prerequisites, you can see how this becomes a problem when a student cannot get into a class. He/she must wait until the next chance to enroll in that class before proceeding with their degree. Students are now averaging 5-6 years to complete a Bachelors degree. I could have sworn when I was growing up they said college was only 4 years…AT MOST.
Let’s try to sum this up: Budget cuts have a significant effect on prospective students as acceptance is denied. It also effects current students by limiting resources, prolonging graduation, and making it difficult to get courses. Many jobs are lost as faculty are let go. There is unnecessary debt for both students and parents who must find a means to accommodate the increased tuition. This effects so many people, and together through the struggle, we can overcome this injustice.
