Message from President Harrison about 2013-14 CSU Budget

July 2, 2013

Dear Campus Community,

I am pleased to share with you the July 2, 2013 CSU Employee Update, issued by the Chancellor's Office following Governor Brown's signing of the 2013-14 state budget.

The 2013-14 budget is positive news for the CSU and for CSUN. It includes new funding to the CSU of $125.1 million and a $125 million reinstatement from last year's budget cut. The budget represents a welcome reinvestment by the state in the California State University system and in public higher education. As stated in the Chancellor's Office communication below, the budget will be directed to three main areas: student access and success, faculty and staff compensation, and mandatory costs. More information will be shared with the campus community as it becomes available.

The Employee Update is reproduced below and posted under "CSU News" on CSUN Today.

Sincerely,

Dianne F. Harrison
President

The California State University Employee Update
Tuesday, July 2, 2013

State Budget Marks Reinvestment in the CSU

The state's reinvestment in the CSU became official last week as Gov. Brown signed the 2013-14 budget, which includes $125.1 million in new funding and $125 million reinstated from last year's budget cut.

The proposed increase brings state funding levels to $2.3 billion for the CSU's programs and operations.

The budget will allow the CSU to focus on three main areas of expenditure: student access and success, faculty and staff compensation, and mandatory costs. The CSU remains committed to using $10 million for technology/online approaches to addressing course bottlenecks.

"This budget officially begins the state's reinvestment in higher education and the California State University," said Chancellor Timothy P. White. "While this is an important step in the right direction, additional efforts are still needed to help meet the unprecedented demand to attend a California State University campus."

The governor vetoed legislative language that earmarked specified dollar amounts for various programs or created reporting requirements, but did not veto any funds from the CSU budget. He signed the higher education trailer bill (AB 94), which includes a list of outcome measures that will be part of an accountability plan, and the law for the new Middle Class Scholarship program.

"We continue to work with our elected officials and all stakeholders on further restoration of access and increases in student success," said White. "We look forward to continued engagement on appropriate and meaningful ways to measure and to be accountable for this critical work." More information.