MelissaFowler14's Blog

Money… thats what I want

melissafowler14 — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 21:13:55 +0000

According to a press release by the CSU, $25 million in one time funds will be given to the schools to be used for courses and sections for the winter and spring quarters.

This is benifical news coming to CSU students, but the damage has already been done.

Numerous teachers have already lost their jobs in the process of the budget cuts. Furlough days have taken away learning hours from the students.

It will be good news for students that more classes will be offered coming off of the news that the limit for registration has been moved to 13 units, which could possibly make it harder to get classes.

Even though the money will be an added asset during the next couple of quarters, it is nearly not enough money to combat the immense budget cuts already made to the colleges. It doesn’t get the students in who were put on waiting lists to get in to college. It does not get those teachers back, and it definatly does not get the lost hours back from furlough days.

I Didn’t Pack My Peanut Butter and Jelly

melissafowler14 — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:43:51 +0000

Budget concerns were the central focus of the Brown Bag with the Presidents event on Oct. 6. Cal Poly students rallied and demanded answers from school President Michael Ortiz and ASI President Richard Liu.

Ortiz opened the session with remarks about the state of the school. He said that student fees have increased from 2,500 to 4,033, and that still does not make up for the lack of funding. Ortiz also said that the immense budget cuts have forced the school to layoff employees, cancel summer school, and schedule furlough days.

Lui encouraged students not to rally on campus, but to use a furlough day to rally in front of a legislators office instead.

Cal Poly students are finding it harder then ever to succeed in their education due to budget cuts and fewer classes offered. The school recently reduced limit of units students can register for from 20 to 13, causing many to worry about graduating on time.

Standing on the street corner with a cardboard sign and an empty tin cup

melissafowler14 — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 20:06:27 +0000

According to a recent article published in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Cal Poly has a goal of raising $150 million over the next five to seven years.

School officials have said the money raised will be used for endowments, building and school equipment and educational enhancements.

$100 million of the funds are planned towards enhancing the teaching force at the school. Officials would like to increase the quality of teaching on campus. An additional $25 million is planned to be used to expand the research space not supported by the state.

According to Michael Ortiz, Cal Poly President, the last $25 million will be used for scholarships and to make the school more of a staple in the community.

“The last $25 million is to be used to continue and expand into the community,” Ortiz said. “So that we are viewed as part of the community and not an ivory tower that is removed from the community.”

Cal Poly is facing $30.8 million in cuts to the annual budget. Faced with this, this school has furlough days, increased student fees and lowered teacher salaries.

The school believes that the goal is within reach, but that it will take a while.

Broken Words and Empty Bank Accounts

melissafowler14 — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 23:07:52 +0000

Welcome to my college education blog. In the world of broken promises and a failing economy, the college student is the only one who can have a voice. Yet our voice is silenced by insurmountable budget cuts and furloughs that prevent us from getting a full learning experience.

I am currently a Journalsim student at Cal Poly Pomona who has felt the effects of statewide budget cuts to higher education. I encourage other students to stay abreast of what is being taken away from their education. I also encourage students to find the correct person to bring their concerns to, and to not just whine about it.