Yes to Higher Ed co-chairs Dick Ackerman and Mel Levine released this statement on the June 9, 2016, Budget Agreement:
BUDGET AGREEMENT PROVIDES LIMITED HELP FOR HIGHER ED
“When it comes to higher education, the Budget deal between the Governor and the Legislative leaders should be graded as “incomplete” commented Dick Ackerman and Mel Levine, Co-chairs of the California Coalition for Public Higher Education. Instead of providing a significant increase to fund new enrollment, this Budget offers only crumbs, while requiring both UC and CSU to do more with less. Our community colleges, CSU and UC provide avenues of opportunity for Californians. The powers that be in Sacramento shouldn’t take short-sighted steps that stunt the growth and quality of the world’s best public higher education system.”The Budget agreement announced by the Governor and legislative leaders on June 9 provides only limited increases in spending for UC and CSU. The University of California will receive an $18.5 boost in ongoing General Fund support, contingent upon achieving enrollment goals for California students. In addition, UC will receive a one-time allocations of $20 million for programs to increase enrollment of low income students and $22 million for the UC Innovation and Entrepreneurship program. CSU will receive an additional $12.5 million in on-going General Fund support plus a one-time boost of $25 million aimed at improving graduation rates. CSU had indicated an additional $100 million would be needed to meet enrollment demands.