CSU to receive $185.2 million from state fund

By Linda Prendez, On-Line Forty-Niner

Wednesday, August 26, 1998

Cal State Long Beach will reap part of a $4.4 billion state revenue surplus, as Gov. Pete Wilson approved the 1998-99 state budget last week, his signature authorizing the largest California State University general fund increase since 1984.

CSULB will receive $185.2 million from the CSU general fund budget, which has increased by 15 percent and totals more than $2.2 billion.

The extra monies will be useful at a time when college enrollment is surging at CSU campuses.

CSU officials expect more than 10,000 additional students over last year's enrollment, and the 23 campuses have hired 670 full-time faculty for fall to compensate for the growth. A 5 percent increase in the faculty and staff compensation pool will be negotiated with $89.1 million from the budget.

However, 30 percent of the budget's extra $284.1 million is non-recurring funds. Next year's budget may not be as large, and it is likely that enrollment will continue to rise, a trend that educators have predicted and named Tidal Wave 2.

Chancellor Charles B. Reed was pleased with the budget support, saying it signified an "investment in higher education and California's future."

"This budget ensures access to qualified students, helps us to maintain and build high academic quality, and addresses other pressing needs of the CSU such as deferred maintenance and compensation," Reed said in a prepared statement.

Highlights of the 1998-99 budget include $19.4 million to replace revenue lost from last year's 5 percent fee reduction legislation. Although CSU lost money due to the measure that was signed into law last year and is set to continue through 2000, legislators have eliminated the need to increase fees with an allocation of $31.4 million.

One-time supplements include funds for academic technology, deferred maintenance, instructional equipment replacement, new library materials, and for teacher training and recruitment.

Students will benefit directly from $4 million allotted specifically for student outreach programs. Other items include development of the campus at Camarillo State Hospital, ongoing lease bond payments and capital bond initiatives for renovation of facilities and infrastructure.