Dear Colleagues,

In the midst of California’s continuing budget crisis, Cal State Fullerton is relying upon a network of campus members and advisory groups including our Planning, Resource and Budget Committee (PRBC), Academic Senate and others to do what we have done as a university community for many years—assemble facts and examine options to determine how best to uphold the university’s mission, in the face of shrinking revenues. This collaborative network provides advice and counsel for my budget decisions.
 
The CSU budget challenges stem from the state’s growing $14.5 billion projected budget deficit. The Governor’s proposed 2008-2009 budget calls for a net decrease in funding to the CSU. Under the proposed budget the Cal State Fullerton budget will be a reduced by $10-15 million in 2008-2009 fiscal year, depending on whether there is additional student fee revenue. These reductions are being addressed in a variety of ways on our campus.
 
CSU leadership has directed the campuses to align enrollment with the Governor’s proposed budget. Already, the number of undergraduate applications received here at Fullerton for the fall 2008 exceeds 44,400—a 13 percent increase over this time last year. Ordinarily, we would welcome this news as evidence of the growing popularity of CSUF among university-bound high school and community college students. Instead, we alerted community colleges in our region that February 13 was the last day our campus would accept applications from upper-division transfer students seeking admission for the fall. We remain open for all graduate and credential programs. In addition, we have tightened requirements for graduating high school seniors and community college transfer students. In order to be admitted this fall, they must complete all necessary course work this spring. Curtailing admissions is an immediate step we are taking to prepare for expected budget reductions for the 2008-09 fiscal year. Unfortunately, these cuts will force us to deny access to those the state has promised to serve.
 
These steps taken as a result of the anticipated budget reduction are expected to result in 1,000 fewer qualified students enrolling at California State University, Fullerton in 2008-09. Also, we are slowing down recruitment efforts for new faculty members, and fewer course sections will be offered in the fall because of the anticipated budget reduction.
 
These actions begin to address the estimated CSUF share of the projected CSU budget reductions. Please see the top link on this page, under Highlights, for preliminary campus budget reduction information for 2008-09 prepared by our Division of Administration and Finance. This information and the projected figures will assist campus members in fiscal discussions and deliberations throughout the spring and will be updated as more current information is received. The budget situation is fluid and most likely will change before the final 2008-2009 state budget is approved sometime this summer.  
 
While we chart a course for the next academic year, state legislators are meeting in special session in Sacramento to grapple with the state budget shortfall. Their actions will influence ours. Both the CSU and campus will watch the legislative sessions closely and work with our representatives to support a budget that will allow access for qualified students and maintain the quality of CSU education. I urge you to join with me, Chancellor Reed, trustees, students and your colleagues as we advocate for the CSU and for our state's all-important investment in higher education.

Milton A. Gordon
President