President Jane Close Conoley Issues the Following Statement in Response to Governor’s Revised 2018-19 State Budget Proposal

The following statement can be attributed to Long Beach State University President Jane Close Conoley:

“By providing $100 million in one-time funding for deferred maintenance for the California State University, the governor is taking a positive step forward. The building maintenance backlog at Long Beach State University alone, however, is in excess of $318 million. Every additional dollar would be put to good use. Safe, updated and learning-centered classroom and laboratories contribute to student success.

"While I appreciate the governor’s sense of frugality as it relates to funding state operations, fully funding public higher education and stabilizing the state’s fiscal condition should not be viewed as mutually exclusive. Research shows us our state’s economic outlook and social well-being are both enhanced when more people complete college. Long Beach State University consistently ranks in the top 20 U.S. colleges and universities that provide upward social mobility. Our graduates are earning higher wages than others in the nation. This is very good for California.

"Over the coming weeks, I’ll be working closely with area lawmakers, encouraging them to augment the governor’s revised 2018-19 budget so we can provide opportunities for even more Californians to move up the socioeconomic ladder. The demand for higher education in California continues to outpace our ability to supply access and timely degrees. Long Beach State University received more than 102,000 applications. We will be funded to admit about 9,000 students, meaning thousands of qualified students will be turned away from our campus. Turning away students who are motivated to be their best selves hurts the economic and civic futures of California.”