Task force studies budget

Resource planning process advises president on budget

When is $140 million not enough money?

It is not enough money to fully operate the multitude of divisions, departments and programs at Cal State Long Beach, according to a member of the university's resource planning pr ocess task force.

"No one's needs are being met because the budget is inadequate," said Dot Goldish, a chemistry and biochemistry professor, the chair of the Academic Senate and a member of the RPP task force.

The RPP task force is the "offic ial source of advice," regarding budgetary matters, to the university president.

Goldish said it is becoming harder and harder to put together a budget that supplies the basic needs of the different areas on campus.

In the midst of state budge t cuts and declining enrollment totals, the RPP task force makes recommendations to prioritize allocations to such items as faculty positions, disabled-student services and class additions, Goldish said.

The RPP task force prepares an estimate repo rt of what resources are available and recommends to the president what should and should not be cut from the budget.

Goldish said CSULB presidents have implemented the majority of the RPP task force's recommendations. The RPP was initiated in 19 86.

CSULB President Robert Maxson called the board "extremely effective," and said he plans to follow the pattern of past presidents and continue to implement the majority of the task force's budgetary recommendations.

The president has the final say on what the final university budget will include.

Maxson made some alterations in the 1994-95 budget, such as allocating $150,000 to create The Blue Ribbon Task force Committee that is charged with the task of improving services to studen ts - speeding up the grad-check process, reducing long lines and simplifying course scheduling.

The RPP task force will hold hearings throughout the semester. Each college and its departments will conduct planning sessions to determine what financ ial needs exist.

"Every student, staff and faculty member during this current year will have an opportunity for input to the RPP task force," Maxson said.

Still, with limited resources available to the university, tough choices will inevitably have to be made.

"No one has the budget they need," Goldish said. No area of campus has the financial support to do all of the things demanded of them, she added.