Cutting higher-education funding would reduce educational opportunities, especially for disadvantaged students, and harm the region's economy, said speakers at a budget forum.
Fresno State President John Welty told the estimated 600 people in attendance at the Satellite Student Union that Gov. Schwarzenegger's proposed 10% cuts would equate to a $24 million loss to the budget at California State University, Fresno.
That means turning away 600 qualified students, increasing class sizes and curtailing the hiring of faculty and staff, he said.
The entire California State University system's budget would lose $386 million under proposed cuts. Welty acknowledged that the governor and legislators have tough budget decisions. State lawmakers are wrestling with a deficit estimated to be about $16 billion.
"But cutting back on investing in higher education is not the right choice," Welty said. He said Fresno State pumps $800 million a year into the region, "which sustains 15,300 jobs and generates more than $44 million in tax revenue."
"It's important for you when you leave here today to do something," he said to those who attended the forum. Attendees were asked to fill out a card vowing to help the "Alliance for the CSU" and were given a list of things to do to help stop cuts to the 23-campus system.
The list included telling 10 friends and relatives to visit the alliance's Web site, writing letters to the editor and to legislators, and speaking at meetings of religious groups, clubs and organizations.
"We need to be [upset] enough to take action," said Lisa Weston, president of the university's chapter of the California Faculty Association.
Budget cuts would translate into some courses not being offered and also would depress salaries and create larger workloads for faculty, she said.
Juan Pablo Moncayo, Associated Students Inc. president, said the last round of serious state budget cuts about five years ago "was ugly." Some students had to drop out.
"Two of my friends did not come back," he said.
Moncayo fears the same could happen if the CSU system's budget is cut, and if that leads to fee increases.